Lord, what is going on with me? Every day I have to fight for contentment. It’s been much easier to get into Your word (thank You for planting that desire in my heart!), but it’s been much harder to find joy throughout the day. I am worn out and it’s keeping me from recognizing You in my daily life. The repetition of getting up early, driving to work, studying, working, driving home, studying some more, and going to bed knowing I will do it all again tomorrow is wearing me out.
Where does the problem lie?
Is it my job? Am I enjoying what I’m doing? Most of the time, yes… I love getting to do math everyday.
Is it a physical problem? Am I not getting enough rest? I’m getting my 8 hours in every night, yet I am still tired.
Is this an attitude problem? Am I being too pessimistic? Am I not looking to You for strength, patience, and joy?
Lord, help me to discover the secret of being content in any situation. Continue to write on my heart that I can do all things through Christ. Give me a new perspective so that I may see joy through everything I do, no matter how mundane it may seem. Help me to see things the way You see them.
hey twin, i know how you feel. its a constant struggles for me to find joy. and i also relate to a new hunger for God's word, yet have trouble finding joy in my daily life. just know i am praying for you and i truly believe God will bring you joy if you ask for it. and you are asking with such a seeking heart. i love you and am so glad you are in my life!
ReplyDeleteWell, welcome to life as an adult, much of which is severely mundane. School doesn't look so bad now, does it?
ReplyDeleteHow do you find joy in the mundane? A pragmatic approach may be to accept that x% of your life is going to be rote, rut and routine, i.e.,ordinary. Therefore, you have to strike a balance of contrast by expending resources (energy, money and/or time) in periodic episodes of extraordinary activities and experiences that become the cherished,lasting life memories. Of course, the spiritual answer is to live and function above your circumstances and things (or lack of things), thereby rendering circumstances and things, or lack thereof, inconsequential in the equation of life. Spiritual disciplines (prayer, service, celebration, fellowship, confession, submission, sacrifice, frugality, solitude, fasting, meditation, study, quiet time, praise, worship) are the methods and mechanisms to accomplish living in contentment rather than living in contention or covetousness.
By the way, don't confuse "joy" with "happy". Joy comes from a proper relationship with God through Jesus Christ and an appropriate understanding of the distinction between God and man and the grace that has been extended to us by God in our everyday life and is unrelated to circumstances. By contrast, happiness, for the most part, is dependent on circumstances that are perceived to be positive or beneficial.
ReplyDeleteHey - just to be overly pragmatic for a moment, check your diet - are you getting everything you need? I jumped on vitamin supplements to see if they helped, and they really did. So look and see if you're getting what you need, and if you need to help out with something else. Just taking care of yourself - spiritually and physically - does wonders. :)
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