FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT – But God Wants Me To Be Happy, Right?
Daily Mary ate whatever she wanted. When Donna suggested that she try a healthier diet, Mary felt judged and talked to John. John told her that because he loved her, he saw no problem in her eating whatever she wanted. Mary felt loved again and soon returned to eating her candy, junk food and whatever she wanted. The problem in the scenario was that Mary was the seven year old daughter of Donna and John.
Like Mary, our society has grown to a place where two realities have become very clear; 1) Our three greatest needs (To be loved, to be accepted, and to have worth) are more visible that ever and 2) Instead of us looking to Christ to get those needs met, we are attempting to humanize God to fix our needs.
Example: I was in two conversations (one a person at church, the other was my doctor). Both chastised me for being celibate and waiting for marriage. They both said, “God wants me to be happy. He doesn’t mind if single people are having sex before marriage. That was old testament. Things are changed now.”
Without going into details, I reminded them that God said nothing like that in the bible. He is way more concerned with my joy and long term well-being than my momentary happiness. Me too. I have been there, and not doing that again. Other people can do what they want, this is what I choose in honoring God and respecting myself.
We certainly live in a day and time when things are difficult and people suffer. There is no easy answer. We want control over our problems, we want to stop the pain, we want to stop feeling like failures and bad people yet we want to be loved and accepted for who we are. We want the good part of God without the parental part of God that has a boundary and requirement.  We want to eat whatever we want without exercising, or changing our eating habits, but we want to lose weight and look like a magazine cover model.
We want the part of God that says, “Come to me, ALL you that hunger and thirst and I will give you rest.” Yet, when that pre-requisite of accepting Jesus Christ alone as Savior, not one of many gods, comes into the picture, then we look for another person or avenue who will allow us to feel loved while getting our way. Think of a particular religious movement popular now that feeds right into that.
So, what do we do with that information?
1.First, be aware that you are human and have feelings and needs like everyone else.
2.If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, remember what the Word say about the times we are living in. People (Christians and non) will trade to truth for a lie). Read the bible for yourself to know what it says directly from God to be equipped. No matter who the person is, if what they are saying (even if they say, God told them) contradicts the Bible, RUN!
3.If you are not a believer, do what Lee Strobel did, put God and Jesus Christ on trial and find out the truth for yourself. At the end of your life or maybe tomorrow, you don’t want to be wrong because it will be too late. Excellent documentary about an atheist trying to prove Christ did not exist to save marriage, called, “Case for Christ” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqgQ9g2MV_8
John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
John 14:6 “Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Charlotte
Dream Madly, Pursue Wildly, Trust Completely tm
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