Stepping Stones: You Control the Switch

Transformational Tip
I’ve noticed…there are so many unhappy people I encounter every day. And they are all so quick to blame their unhappiness on things that are out of their control; the economy, the government, their circumstances…or other outside factors robbing them of joy and happiness. But there is a list of objectives and desires that are within our control: a close relationship with God, a clear purpose in life, a commitment to help someone in greater need than ourselves, and maybe, a deeper commitment to our faith.

These are all honorable desires and are all things we as individuals can do something about…without outside human help. No stimulus package or government program will assist here, and tough economic times cannot steal these ideals. These life goals are achieved as we allow God’s Word to rule in our hearts and as we receive the Spirit’s strength to build up the inner man resulting in true joy.

In our complicated world, it’s tempting to put our pursuit for what we desire into the hands of others—to expect an outside entity to fulfill our desires. While we sometimes need help and we cannot live in isolation, it’s not outside sources that provide true happiness…that must come from within, your decision. You control the switch…will you shine brightly or switch the light off.

Today, remember that blaming your unhappiness on things that are out of your control is an excuse. Change your lenses, change your life. Ask 2 close people to give you Godly advice about your area of struggle and consider following it today. The direction is up to you, which way will you steer? Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts about you controlling the switch.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I have been guilty of having the “victim mentality.” I have been so quick to blame circumstances beyond my control for my unhappiness. I pray, Father, that You help turn my mind to those things that I do have control over. Help me, Father, to remember that You are the one and only true source of sustainable happiness. I pray in the name of the one source who gave me the freedom to control my happiness, Your greatest gift, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.
Ephesians 3:16
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:3-9