If our pain and suffering were not important, wouldn’t God just take us to where we will spend all of eternity? He could do that if he wanted to. Could the earthly process be as important as the heavenly prize?
Happiness can be elusive.
To be happy, all I have to do is be content with whatever the Lord provides today. Jesus and the apostle Paul were right: God supplies my needs. He’s doing it right now. I just have trouble understanding why my needs must include so much pain and strain.
Sometimes God pushes against my reluctance to go.
Jonah would say my best move is God’s way. I don’t want to spend three days in the belly of a big fish. So here I am, having to accept my plight. At least I know the pain won’t last forever. I can still be happy, because I’ll learn an important lesson, prove my faith, be a positive witness, or somehow gain strength through it all.
I shouldn’t add to my troubles.
Jesus said, “My yoke is easy. My burden is light.” That analogy refers to a team of oxen pulling a heavy load in which Jesus is the lead ox pulling most of the weight. If I’m the other ox straining in a different direction, I will wear myself out for nothing. To be happy, I must I say, “Okay, God. Lead me your way.”
God gives what is best for us.
God would be an uncaring Father if he always gave me what I wanted. If I’m expecting riches to make me happy, I have the wrong idea. Jesus said it’s next to impossible for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He also said life isn’t found in the abundance of possessions. I can be happy with less today, if that’s what God wants. More will come on another day.
I have no reason to speak of my needs, because I have learned to be content, no matter what the circumstances are. — Philippians 4:11, The Discussion Bible