Much of the stress in life comes from our pursuit of "happily ever after."
We think that once we get to a certain point, everything else will go well for the rest of our lives, but then it doesn't keep going well. So we struggle to patch up the problem or achieve new goals. We are sure that once we get these things fixed, everything will go well for the rest of our lives. But it never does.
A man struggles to get training and certification and rejoices on his graduation day. But then he can't find a job. He struggles in the job search and working at "dead-end" jobs that he dislikes.
He finds a job in the field he has trained for and is sure this is the HEA point. Then he finds out that he needs to get more certification to stay current and has to achieve at a certain level to stay employed. He struggles to achieve and to get more training and certification. The economy fluctuates, competition is fierce and money is tight.
He works at his job for several years and accepts ongoing training and competition as a part of the mix, but feels safe in his work. But his family grows, his house is too small, the car breaks down and needs to be replaced, his wife is unhappy with his work schedule, he begins to have health issues. His company is sold to a competitor who will downsize and consolidate. He may need to move to another city.
Get the idea?
We are stressed trying to get to the point were everything will go well. Then we are stressed by the realization that things are still going wrong. Then we are stressed by the fear that things will go wrong, even if they are not currently going wrong.
The solution is to realize that we are imperfect people living in a broken world. We cannot ever reach the happily ever after point in this world, because this world is broken by sin. Death, disease, frustration, injustice and corruption are an ongoing part of our lives here.
Our goal cannot be happily ever after life on earth, or we will be frustrated. We should seek our satisfaction in handling daily problems well. We seek comfort in trusting God to carry us safely through the difficulties of life. Faith in God gives us the confidence that we are loved and even our problems are ultimately for God's good purposes.
Life is an adventure of challenges in which we try to bring God glory through proper attitudes and actions. The real happily ever after of our existence is out of this world and beyond the scope of this life. And it is guaranteed by God in Christ, in spite of our shortcomings in this world.
We think that once we get to a certain point, everything else will go well for the rest of our lives, but then it doesn't keep going well. So we struggle to patch up the problem or achieve new goals. We are sure that once we get these things fixed, everything will go well for the rest of our lives. But it never does.
A man struggles to get training and certification and rejoices on his graduation day. But then he can't find a job. He struggles in the job search and working at "dead-end" jobs that he dislikes.
He finds a job in the field he has trained for and is sure this is the HEA point. Then he finds out that he needs to get more certification to stay current and has to achieve at a certain level to stay employed. He struggles to achieve and to get more training and certification. The economy fluctuates, competition is fierce and money is tight.
He works at his job for several years and accepts ongoing training and competition as a part of the mix, but feels safe in his work. But his family grows, his house is too small, the car breaks down and needs to be replaced, his wife is unhappy with his work schedule, he begins to have health issues. His company is sold to a competitor who will downsize and consolidate. He may need to move to another city.
Get the idea?
We are stressed trying to get to the point were everything will go well. Then we are stressed by the realization that things are still going wrong. Then we are stressed by the fear that things will go wrong, even if they are not currently going wrong.
The solution is to realize that we are imperfect people living in a broken world. We cannot ever reach the happily ever after point in this world, because this world is broken by sin. Death, disease, frustration, injustice and corruption are an ongoing part of our lives here.
Our goal cannot be happily ever after life on earth, or we will be frustrated. We should seek our satisfaction in handling daily problems well. We seek comfort in trusting God to carry us safely through the difficulties of life. Faith in God gives us the confidence that we are loved and even our problems are ultimately for God's good purposes.
Life is an adventure of challenges in which we try to bring God glory through proper attitudes and actions. The real happily ever after of our existence is out of this world and beyond the scope of this life. And it is guaranteed by God in Christ, in spite of our shortcomings in this world.
Really liked this...so shared it on my facebook page. I think we may not even be aware that we are chasing a dream or feeling that will never be realized. We can view others lives and assume they have reached the HEA stage and be frustrated because we haven't gotten there yet. I especially liked the end where you encourage us to look at the daily things that we had victory in or the day by day blessings in our relationship with God. That is living a satisfying life. Walking hand in hand with God.
ReplyDeleteWell, the last paragraph made ME cry! Thanks.
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