Why aren’t we happy?

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Today we consider what we live for. You go to work, you pursue all those things you are told will make you happy, so why aren't you happy?

Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a disciple of Jesus. There are a lot of things you could choose to do with your life but I don't believe that there is anything more worthwhile than joining Jesus on His great mission of reconciliation. Life is an incredible process of spiritual growth. Thanks letting me be part of your journey.

I found a book by LeRoy Eims in the church library this week. I have appreciated another book by him titled The Lost Art of Disciple Making and I highly recommend it. It was one of the books that started me on the path to becoming a disciple maker almost twenty years ago. The book I found this week is called, What Every Christian Should Know About Growing.

One chapter really caught my attention. The first section opens with a discussion of life and meaning. He particularly focused on the fact that many people find life incredibly dull. "Is there life after birth?" some ask. A campus newspaper at the time ran a contest to find a slogan for life. Three honorable mentions were, "Life is a bad joke that's not funny." / "Life is a disease for which there is no cure." / and "Life is a jail sentence you get for being born."

The world tells you over and over again that pursuing temporal, here and now pleasures, will satisfy you. Commercials on every platform tell you how much better your life will be with this product or that one. Each one offers to finally complete you and make you the man or women you were meant to be. Only they don't. And they can't.

Increase in death rates age 25-64 - drug overdose suicide, alcohol  related, Deaths of despair.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/

Pg. 90 Financial success paragraph.
But people keep climbing the ladder! Definition of insanity! To keep trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

It is not complicated. God has given us the answer if only we will listen.
Man is a spiritual being. Eims points out that we have four key areas of personal development if we are to be healthy, balanced people. Intellectual, Physical, Spiritual and Social. Leave one out and you cannot be a healthy person!

In several key areas, our Faith in the Creator God makes life not only bearable but joyful.
First, Many people live in constant fear of death.
1 John 5:13 - These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Second, Many people live in fear of financial problems.
Phil. 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Third, many people are in constant fear about the future.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Many people are afraid of being alone and unheard.
Hebrews 13: 5-6 - Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

What is it that makes this life bearable? What gives us joy where the world finds only despair?

Ephesians 3:14-21 - Christ dwells in your heart through faith, you know His love!

Romans 8:14-17 -  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, 

To know God and to be known by Him is the greatest joy you can have. This relationship overrides every trial that life brings your way because the trial is temporary and the relationship with God is eternal. Live with eternal values. Live out eternal relationships. There is nothing in this life that can compare or bring you even a fraction of the joy that God offers.

Thanks for joining me today. Write me anytime at norman@runwithhorses.net, I look forward to hearing how God is working in your life. Today's trials won't last forever. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep running!