So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10:35 NLT

Awhile ago, my husband and I streamed a movie titled “Shortcut to Happiness.”

Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Love Hewitt make a deal with each other. Alec is a struggling writer that makes a deal with the devil, Jennifer Love Hewitt. She will grant his main desire of success as a writer if he will give his soul to her.

When John and I got the premise of the movie, we almost turned it off, but something made us want to see how these famous actors portrayed a very real struggle in today’s world.

What is the struggle? Everyone, including Christians, wants happiness. We prefer joy to struggles. Feeling that way is not wrong; it’s human, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen our focus on what we know about God and His plan for us.

Our focus needs to change as we remember…there is only one lasting happiness and it is found in God and His will for our lives. Our trials are temporary.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

God has already made a way for us to “have it all” through His Son and the Holy Spirit. The joy we have in Jesus is full, true and forever! Every minute of the day we can choose to commit to Jesus for the long haul. Short cuts that promise instant happiness will let us down. Jesus is the only way to joy and He is so worth it!

Let’s make some Monday decisions, mindsets of sorts. This week…

Let’s trust in the long-haul to joy, not a short-cut to happiness by making a deal with the enemy.

Let’s commit to this race for the long haul, for daily and eternal joy with our Savior!

Let’s worship God and not other idols/gods here on earth, like fame and money and houses and cars and popularity. These things will not last and they do not matter in the kingdom of God.

Let’s focus our lives on our godly purpose, to take the burdens of life as God allows, knowing that He has a plan for us that makes us better versions of ourselves and more importantly, Him.

Let’s embrace the joy of Jesus with our eyes on our heavenly home. He is our prize, waiting for us after the long haul of life.

Let’s remember that we are not here to love and serve ourselves, but to love and serve God. That is what brings joy!

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 NIV

Dear Father, Only You know why we have to endure certain struggles. Even when we are not struggling we still seem to crave things that make us instantly happy. Do whatever it takes to make us as You made us to be, for You. We know that our joy cannot be more full than when we are focused on You! We love You. Guide us through this week with Your wisdom and peace and we will give You all glory. Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a great day!

Tina