His strength makes me happy

I can't say, as Paul did, that I have learned to be completely content and happy. But I am learning and I want to mature in this area. The secret is to live in His strength and power. When I seek His desire, I have confidence that He will strenghten me. That is happening. When I wander off on my own, oh boy, I can never be glad in God and happy.

The other area that helps me be happy is knowing who I am in Him. I am fully redeemed and His child. Knowing that strengthens me. Whoo Hoo!!!

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am .... I have learned the secret of .... both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Free to pursue what God wants

I can learn to think like Jesus. He didn't expect to get His own way. Now that is radical. Who doesn't want to get their own way? Seriously. But that misses God's goal for our lives.  

I can be free. Free to pursue what God wants. Jesus only did what he saw his Father doing. No more, no less.

I can be free from being tyrannized by what I want. I can be obedient to what God wants. He is in charge of His country. I need to obey.

Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old habit of always expecting to get your own way which misses God's goal. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. 1 Peter 4