Joy In the Moment

As soon as _____, then I'll be happy.
If only I could _____, I'd feel better.
When _____, everything will be alright.
Someday I'll be able to _____, and that's when life will be perfect.

As soon as.
If only.
When.
Someday.

Do you ever hear these words and phrases rolling around in your own head? Do you think about whatever circumstances will make your life better than it is right now?

Well, join the club. We're all dissatisfied with something in our lives, whether it be our relationships, our finances, our living situation, our job or our spirituality.

But that would all change and I'd feel wonderful ... if ...

Some searching is OK. We're not to be satisfied with the things of earth because we know what we're going to receive in Heaven. This kind of longing for something new and different was planted in us at salvation. This is the reaching out for something better that is rooted and grounded in God.

The difference between healthy and unhealthy dissatisfaction is losing your joy for the moment. Things won't be wonderful until ... is a scary place to be.

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-11

In the presence of the Lord, there is joy, gladness and pleasures. That moment is now, not somewhere down the road when something else happens, which leads to this circumstance which will finally make things right. This kind of thinking sucks all the joy out of this very moment, the moment God created just for you.

On the path of life, God's special path carved out just for you, He has promised to walk right beside you. He's already seen each curve in the trail and knows exactly what you'll need to make it through safely. This is why you can sit right here in this moment, be still and experience a fullness of joy that is unexplainable. Nothing else is necessary because the Lord has given all He has for this very moment.

Nothing is held back. The pleasures have always been there. You can rest in hope knowing that this moment, this very moment in time, is perfectly designed to be just what you need.

What is the joy in your moment, your right-now moment?
Whatever it is, it's from God for your joy and His pleasure.

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