What Ever Makes You Happy – letting go of masking reality

When my kids were little we would give them candy, activity books, what ever would make them happy on a long road trip. When all the toys would loose their excitement and the car seat seamed like a straight jacket, they would cry out; as expected, "I want to get out!" This is a picture of you and I when all the things that we fill our lives with to make us happy, stop distracting us from the reality that we feel trapped and just want to get out.

We think the problem is our reality of life, when the problem is the stuff we use to mask it. When we don't go to God first, we might distract our attentions to the latest sale, the person of the opposite sex who gave some attention, or planning the next big adventure. We go from one thing to the next because it's not working. The more we mask things, the farther from God we will get and the more unhappy we are. God's word says in Matthew 6:19-21, “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (HCSB)."

When was the last time you faced reality with God? Psalm 69:32-33 says, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people (NLT)."

Let go of masking reality and seek God. The next time you are tempted to turn to something that is only temporal happiness, pray first. Be humble and honest with God about your feelings. Then open the bible and read a Psalm. God will encourage you – He hears your cries! You may not get out of your situation, but your God will give you the strength. My kids had no clue when they were strapped in the car seat that it was for their safety. God is protecting you even when you may say, "I want to get out!" The journey may be long, but in the end there is a heavenly eternal vacation.

"Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commands are my delight. Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live."

~ Psalm 119:143-144 (HCSB)

"Lord, thank you for hearing my cries. Thank you for protecting me. I let go of masking my problems with temporary happiness instead of going to you for eternal happiness."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014