When you’re going through a valley, do you ever think that must be what God wants for you? It’s tempting to think that, but even though things crumble around you, God wants you to have a vibrant life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This isn’t a promise that you won’t face trials but a promise that you can still live abundantly through Christ!
Read through Philippians and see the hardships Paul was facing in prison. And yet, he wasn’t sitting there thinking his life was a waste or that God had abandoned him! Just the opposite; he saw the good in his experiences and found joy, even while chained in a rotting prison. This is not to downplay any kind of pain or hardship you’re going through right now, but when you feel the pressure of this world, focus on the good. You have God, you have a Savior, and you can experience joy, even when your circumstances tell you otherwise.
When we celebrated Father’s Day as a church on Sunday, it was a great reminder of why you should walk in wisdom and not folly, and why you should walk in joy and not sorrow. Your children look to you for guidance! What better way to raise them than in the kind of authority exemplified in Ecclesiastes? You don’t want your children growing up thinking that, because of the folly they see in you, that they can cheat “The Game of Thrones.” The number one way to cheat at this game is by bluffing—saying something is true when it’s not. Set the example for your children and acknowledge when something is wrong, even if it means you have to change your ways!
As strange as it sounds, stop putting Jesus first! Rather, make Him the center of your life. You have responsibilities. You can’t just ignore your family or your career to put Jesus first. So, what’s the solution? It’s not Jesus then my career; its Jesus in my career! It’s not Jesus then my family; it’s Jesus in my family! Are you seeing the difference between putting Jesus first and centering your life around Him? He should be in every part of your life. When you submit to this, you’ll have a whole new perspective on joy!