Happiness or Misery

 

" I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learnt, from experience, that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances." - Martha Washington

 

 I have always heard the saying that the greatest battle ever fought is the one fought in our minds. It's not just a statement but it is the reality of our everyday lives. Christian or not we are constantly being affected by an unseen spiritual war. And it seems that we have been thrown in the heat of the battle since March. This pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down. We have had to live in isolation. People have gone into deep depression and full blown panic attacks. You can't enjoy life like you used too. Our world is falling apart. It's not just the pandemic but it's also the civil war that broke out within our country. We have not experienced such violence and hatred like this before. The news isn't talking about some war overseas in another country, but one that is right outside our front door. The most challenging thing to understand right now is how can you determine to be content/happy? I don't think there can be a satisfying answer to that question. It is a daily practice to find contentment despite our circumstances. I am a firm believer that if the news is bringing you down because all they seem to talk about is the most negative stories they can get their hands on then you should stop watching the news. You can stay current on world events in other ways that are less depressing. If your group of "friends" are bringing the worst out of you then find better friends. If it is toxic then get rid of it. I've struggled just like anyone else with being depressed. Some days I don't want to get out of bed. You know why? Because I have been too focused on what everyone else is doing. I'm focused on what I can't do or where I can't go. You don't realize how much you take for granted until it's gone. I was on the phone with my grandma yesterday and she spoke a simple phrase but yet it had a great impact, "I have adjusted my attitude." It's easier said then done but not impossible. We have to rely on God now more than ever. We cannot adjust our attitudes on our own. We will fail. But with the LORD'S help and strength we can look at things differently. Paul said in Philippians 4 that "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." I believe Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi. It's just like the quote above, it's not our circumstance that makes us happy. You can have a good home, family, and job and still be miserable versus someone who doesn't have those things and is happy. It is your attitude that determines happiness and misery. As I said, the greatest battle ever fought is the one in our minds. Satan is always going to whisper in your ear bringing negative thoughts into your head to entertain. Once we entertain these thoughts then those thoughts become reality to you. It's just like when you have a brief interaction with a coworker and all of a sudden a thought pops in your head that they don’t like you because they don't talk to you enough. The more you entertain that thought then you will believe that that coworker doesn't like you. Then eventually you will treat them a certain way because you are reacting to what you believe to be true. What if you found out later that this coworker is just a naturally shy person? So you learn that the way they acted has nothing to do with you. You made yourself miserable for nothing. We waste our time believing things that are not true. Paul also says in that same chapter to "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." An attitude adjustment is not going to be done through daily affirmations, meditation,  or exercise. It can only be done through prayer and filling your heart with the Word of God. I have tried to find inspiration in other ways besides God and it just leaves me feeling empty. It's like I always had to be busy to keep my mind off of the things that were bothering me. With God I know my circumstances can actually be changed…eventually. The first step is looking at the unseen. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. So as a final thought we need to learn how to choose to be content despite the circumstances of our world.