The Pursuit of Happiness

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

                              

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be” - Abraham Lincoln

What is happiness? To me, the definition of happiness is the good excited feeling you get, and when you smile on the inside and out.

As I have gotten older the things that make me happy have changed. I think that is a part of finding happiness. 

Knowing yourself, what you want, and what is important to you can help you find your true happiness.

The other day I was sitting watching out the window and just thinking of all the things that I had planned for the future. I remembered the feeling I had when I was younger. The feeling that I had my life ahead of me and all the dreams I dreamed were waiting for me to go and grab them! As I thought about it I realized all the things I hadn't done that I thought I would. Wow how time flies!

I started to think about happiness and what it meant to me. For me, my faith is a big contributor to my happiness. It hasn't always been that way, but it is now. If I don't read my bible or have some quiet time with the Lord, I just don't feel right. Family or human connection is important. For some, family may not be a positive part of their life. I only have a few family members that I am really close with, but it's enough. I'm more of a quality instead of quantity kind of person. Security and health of course is also an important aspect of happiness for me, but I think that is pretty common for most people. I love a sense of adventure. Not the kind of adventure that you almost die doing. I love the outdoors and animals, so anything involving that I am game for. Except for at night, or in dark deep waters... ha.

Once you realize what makes you happy, set time for you to do it each day if you can. Believe it or not, we need to plan our happiness. Sometimes life can just take you over and will have you forgetting about your dreams. 

Something like a dream journal can keep you on track. God wants us to have the desires of our heart! Maybe once a month remind yourself of your dreams and what you want in your life. Nobody will take care of you better than YOU!

What makes you happy?

Always,

D in my jammies :)

In Times of Trials

Reminder: I'm switching blogging sites and this is an oldie but a goodie... enjoy!

In my times of trials I always try to remember that God will never leave me or forsake me. Hebrews 13:5 - ...for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you" Joshua 1:5 - I will not fail you or forsake you.

We can believe in God and Jesus all we want. We can pray all day, but if we do not know His word and pray according to His word then our prayers or actions towards our trials will have NO authority. God has given us authority over the devil and his angels. Luke 10: 17-19 - The seventy returned with joy saying, " Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." And He said to them, " I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and NOTHING will injure you."

The devil will try and twist God's word and use it against you. That's why it is important to know God's word so that you will not fall victim to the devil's tricks concerning that.

When we know God's word and what it says about us or a situation, we can know beyond all doubt that is we pray according to His word it WILL be done. We will have unwavering faith. John 14:14 - If you ask Me anything in my name, I will do it.

God's angels are waiting for us to speak His word so they can perform it on our behalf! How awesome is it to have all of heaven on our side? Psalm 103:20 - Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!

What does God's word say about His children? Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good  for those who love the Lord. 1John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.

When I am going through tough times, I find a scripture or scriptures that pertain to what I am going through. I try and remember them or have a little notecard with them close by. If I start to get scared or unsure about what's going on I just recite them out loud until I feel better. I know in my heart then that everything will be ok.

Always,

D

Seeing Faith

My faith is a big/special part of my life. I have always believed in God (father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). It wasn't until I had my first child that I really started to hunger for a better relationship with God.

Before my Hubby worked in the oil industry, he was an entrepreneur. He had a small floor laying business. Any of you who know anything about construction work know that when it's good it's good, but when it's bad it's bad. When money would get tight I would pray to God and ask for provision. He would provide. Then when things would get better I would stop praying. It was a cycle that went on and on for years. I finally realized that I wanted to keep my commitment with God, and stop turning to Him when life was not so good. I was like the Israelites. I forgot the works of the Lord.

I grew up Catholic. I was at every church function. I used to practice having mass in my room. Seriously.  I thought I wanted to be a nun. The God I know now is the same I knew then, but my relationship with him now is so different.

Now I don't consider myself of a certain faith. I believe in the bible and what it says. I don't believe in condemning others, so don't expect to see kind of stuff here. God made everyone. He loves everyone, so why should I treat others  with disdain when they don't believe exactly as I do. I don't have all the answers, nor do I act like I do. I believe we should encourage each other in faith.

I used to believe that faith was something that you had, which is true, but it goes deeper than that. Faith is in your actions, words, and thoughts. There are so many verses on faith in the bible. Faith is believing in something without seeing it.  Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. God's word is true. It can never fail. Knowing that and knowing His word can give us the courage, strength, and hope for our future. It is something we can bank on.

I am still growing in faith everyday. I want people to see my faith, not just hear me talk about it. I actually used to roll my eyes way back when others would try to witness to me. It would turn me away from God because it seemed like they were condescending to me. I am very careful now about how I talk about God to others. I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me and if I need to mention Jesus and His salvation I will. The last thing I want to do is to make others feel like I did.

I hope y'all have a great day!

Peace out :)