We live in a world that glorifies immediate gratification, pride, opportunistic behaviors, and perceived perfection. We want a job that makes us a lot of money right out of college. We want our packages tomorrow, or even today. We want to be respected and acknowledged for every good deed or work we have done. We are always looking for better, new, or even perfect. We want the perfect marriage with well-behaved kids and a dog that never barks. We want the job that fulfills us emotionally and pays really well. Men want a woman that is always beautiful and never complains, while women want a man who makes a lot of money but doesn’t work too much, stays emotionally available, always does what he says he will do, never forgets to call or text…you get the idea. We keep looking for that perfect life that society tells us is attainable, and all we are finding is disappointment and discontent.
Single and married people are on apps swiping constantly for the possibility of someone better- smarter, prettier, younger, stronger, richer. People are watching porn because this is an immediate solution for pleasure and desire instead of waiting for love and connection. Young singles are rating potential mates to determine merit and value based on superficial ideals. Workers are job hopping to find the perfect employer, pay, co-workers, and culture rather than accepting imperfections. Marriages are ending from an inability to see the value in doing the work of accepting their mates’ faults or fixing their own. This constant search for more leaves you never satisfied with what you have.
What we don’t live in is a world that prioritizes joy, peace, contentment, or forgiveness. It’s those things I want to talk about today. These are the virtues that can be found outside of worldly values.
For the past couple of years, I have been working on finding joy and peace in my life. In a world of chaos, it seemed like such an overwhelming task. I had the knowledge that these things are found in Christ, but what was the path to get me there? How do I find the strength to go against what the others say it is, and forge my own way towards it? I have spent time studying scripture and arguing with God. Turns out the latter doesn’t help me have peace or joy, but it was this path that finally got me on track.
I have a friend who has not always been the best friend to me. There were a couple times I thought it might be best to end the friendship and God would tell me to love him anyway. Those exact words, “Love him anyway.” I would argue that I didn’t deserve some things that were said and done, and God would repeat, “Love him anyway.” So, I kept showing love. I kept forgiving even when forgiveness was not asked for. I didn’t like it and I didn’t do it willingly, but I was obedient. Recently, that friend told me that the love I had shown made him feel like someone had loved him as he should be loved. Not being used for something, but loved for who he is and where he is.
I could have kept arguing with God and been disobedient, but I would have missed out on God’s blessing. God would have used someone else to show his love, and I wouldn’t have learned that obedience to God is my pathway to joy and peace.
Today’s world is not big on forgiveness and contentment, but God is. Peace, for me, means forgiveness. We are told to be long-suffering in our relationships. What does that mean? It means to have patience and kindness towards others. It means offering forgiveness even when no one requests it. Sometimes it means staying and listening when someone is hurting and doesn’t know how to express it in a healthy manner. I am not talking about accepting abuse, but I am talking about showing TO others the same grace and mercy we want to be shown BY others.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
My path to joy is in contentment. I think that might be the hardest thing to find in today’s culture. We are constantly bombarded with the idea that we need more, we deserve more. Someone always has better, and we need to have better also. Contentment is not something we see or hear about very much outside of Scripture, but it is important to living a life of joy. There is no life of perfection. Life never turns out how we planned. We never escape pain or hurt. We will never find the perfect spouse, perfect job, or have perfect friends. I can learn to delight in my own imperfections and those of others or I can spend my life being disappointed. Being thankful for all God has given me and has done in my life allows me to escape the trap that society says it’s not enough. Joy can be found in ALL circumstances.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Trying to find happiness in a world filled with sorrow and hurt, a world full of people just trying to fit in and be like everyone else, is an impossible task. But what IS possible is living a fulfilling, joy-filled, peaceful life when we live for Christ instead of for ourselves. Be forgiving, be content, and be obedient and find the life He created you to live.
Obey God and be at peace with him; this is the way to happiness. Job 22:21
Finding The Good 