How can I find happiness in my life? (2)

Without complaining, he went to his job every day. At night he returned, his attitude as positive as if he had his old job. One night he got to talking enthusiastically about the fine art of digging ditches and how he was enjoying the opportunity of working outdoors and using his strength to accomplish a task. "I've never felt better in my life," he commented.

We boys were so fascinated by his enthusiasm that we went to watch him. Most of the men who worked with him were leaning on their shovels, looking miserable. Not our neighbor. When he saw us, he stopped to take us on a quick tour. He told us how to dig a ditch. Then he showed us his handiwork. His ditches were straight…uniformly deep - with firm sides. "Aren't they beautiful?" He was proud of his ditches.
One night, he announced that he had been made foreman. He was filled with compassion and pity for his men. They refused to accept their lot in life and spent the day moaning and complaining. Our neighbor now had a new zest for his job the challenge of lifting his men out of despondency and showing them how to be thankful they had some work to do.

As I watched this highly skilled craftsman who could find a challenge and satisfaction in anything he did, I realized he had mastered a pivotal principle: it was not the task that was important, but the spirit he brought to that task. He brought an undaunted spirit to every task and experience. As a result, he was happy and successful.

This man had a faith that sustained him. His faith could be summed up in these verses from the Bible:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6). -Henry Brandt. Visit him at www.BiblicalCounselingInsight.com

Thy Will Be Done

Is God listening? I was disappointed that prayer was interpreted only as asking God for something. Prayer traditionally involves praise, thanks-giving, confession and petition. Most important is praise, acknowledging the wonder of the supreme being. A relationship with God is always available, but we need to do the connecting. When we have established an intimate, trusting relationship with a higher power, then we can ask and expect to received higher power, then we can ask and expect to receive. One does not ask favors from a neighbor one has not met. God can be found only by seeking with the heart.

Life is a crap shoot—some people luck out and some don’t. some people who need organ transplants get them and some don’t. There is no evidence of any kind that prayer has any effect whatsoever on the outcome. People like everything simple and in black and white. When they pray and get what they wished for , they are sure that their prayers were “answered.” When they pray and don’t get what they wanted, it was “God’s will.” Actually, it is always just random chance.

Letting go of loss and failure – 3

Finally, put your trust in the Lord. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Have faith in God and faith in Me” (Jn 14.1).

So don’t worry too much. Continue the good works you’re doing in the Legion of Mary – or even double the dosage.

The Lighter side. Once there was a man who was suffering from insomnia because of too much anxiety. He decided to try the old remedy for insomnia: Counting sheep.He went to bed and closed his eyes, but when the first sheep came along it stumbled and fell.
Would someone come along to help the sheep? Ho many more sheep would come along and stumble over the fallen sheep? How much more would the shepherd lose as a result of the accident?

The Man was so personally involved with the situation that the more he could not sleep! Lesson: Let go of anxieties and leave room for God’s action.

The wise never marry. And when they marry they become otherwise.