Find Satisfaction in Your Day
Everyday life has a way of zapping the joy and peace right out of a soul. If we’re not diligent, satisfaction will flee and we’ll be left living a hollow existence.
About a month ago, I jotted down a Scripture verse on a card and set it on my nightstand where it would be easily accessible. It’s not very long. In fact, it isn’t even the full verse. But I find it to be exactly the reminder I need to guard against the sucking power of each day’s demands.
“when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.” Psalm 17:15b
Powerful isn’t it? Nearly every morning I recite this verse before my feet even hit the floor. It reminds me of the One who goes before me.
My first focus goes to Emmanuel, “God with me.” Because let’s face it, the day’s activities don’t wait to attack.
Our children need us. Our spouse needs us. Friends need us. Our church needs us. Our house needs us. Heck, even the mailman stops by on occasion and needs a piece of us.
And something nearly always goes differently than we’d prefer. It can all get so overwhelming.
Most of my conversations lately with friends and family members contain some version of the statement, “I need to regain control of my life.” But it’s not really about control at all.
It’s about centering on the One who redeems it all. Living with joy involves fighting to remember its Source and claiming it.
Living with joy involves fighting to remember its Source and claiming it. Click To Tweet
Lesson on Satisfaction from the Garden
Joy and peace walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They didn’t have to look for it. But they threw it all away when they rebelled against God, deciding their circumstances weren’t good enough.
What they didn’t realize is that circumstances are a terrible satisfier. They’ll always leave us looking for more.
Circumstances are a terrible satisfier. They'll always leaving us looking for more. Click To Tweet
When God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden and placed “mighty” cherubim to guard it (Genesis 3:23-24), the fight for contentment commenced for the original man and wife … and continues today for us. Thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, joy and peace are still ours for the having. But now we are often blind to their presence because we’re often blind to His presence.
The good news is we can learn to recognize Him more readily. We can learn to more effectively cultivate the fruits of joy and peace in our lives.
A great beginning is to center our minds first thing on the Keeper of our souls.
A great beginning to cultivating peace and joy is to center our minds first thing on the Keeper of our souls. Click To Tweet
Reflections: What is your favorite Scripture for centering your mind on the Lord? If you don’t have one, now would be a perfect time to remedy that. Please share in the comments; I want more favorites.
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I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “warrior.” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragement.
By His grace ≈
Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
My favorite verse to center me on the Lord is Luke 10:27 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; Visiting you from Live free Thursday, However if I need to encourage someone I usually share that they are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14 or if fear is involved 2 Timothy 1:7 and my newest verse I am trying to learn is 1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. Blessing Julie
Love those verses, Diana! 1 John 4:16 is a gem! Thanks for sharing.
You have enlightening words in this post. I like the passsage Psalm 91:4. “he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” A shield protects us and a buckler keeps us from falling.