In my last episode, I talked about how we should embrace seasons of change. You may want to check that out it’s ep 177. So anyway, I was feeling a little down and as always I went to my mom for some very much-needed encouragement.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? We got on the subject of perfect happiness and I wanted to share some of our conversation with you. I never really gave this much thought, but if we truly seek to attain it we must realize that perfect happiness is living within God’s rest (Hebrew Chapters 3 & 4). We enter His rest by daily conforming to Christ’s likeness. This means daily using Christ’s attributes such as patience, love, joy the list goes on so we can grow in grace and become just like Christ.
You know when you are transforming into Christ’s likeness by your actions. When problems arise in your life, you confront your problems by being bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). You can have this attitude because 1Peter 3:12-14 says, “… For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer…” and Peter continues to say, “… Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good … even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened…”.
We need to allow verses like these to rule over our hearts, soul, and mind. Verses like the one I just mentioned and many more like it control my mind, they confirm to me that I have ascended to God’s rest, which is perfect happiness.
In God’s rest, even when I’m in a valley, I can still have a peace that surpasses all understanding. In order to enjoy perfect happiness, you MUST duplicate the life of someone who has been there and done that. The only Person who has ever lived a perfect life on this earth is Christ. I am thoroughly convinced that when we duplicate Christ’s attributes in our lives we will have perfect happiness.
Now let’s be clear, perfect happiness doesn’t mean you won’t encounter problems from time to time. What perfect happiness means is that these problems will NOT dominate or control your life whereby they destroy your peace and happiness. When you achieve perfect happiness, you’ll view problems Satan sends your way as minor annoyances.
Christ’s attributes of love, joy, peace and happiness keep us from allowing Satan’s negative traits to dominate our minds also knowns as our thought life. The negative traits I am referring to are worry, depression, confusion, frustration, and the list goes on. It all goes downhill once we allow Satan’s thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to control our mind.
To ensure that I win my battle of the mind against Satan, I always pray so I can get Christ involved. Satan is way too deceitful for me. I do not know how to defeat Satan using my own knowledge. That’s why I bring in the biggest weapon into the battle, Christ. Christ is just one prayer away. I always make sure He is living with me.
Before I go into battle, all I have to do is double-check my armor (Eph 6:10-20) to make sure I have on the whole armor of God (Eph 6). I make sure my perspective is correct so I don’t rush into battle like an ignorant hotheaded bull. When I know that I have on the whole armor of God aka my mind is fully focused on God and His word I start fighting. I confront my problem(s) head-on with full force!
As a side note, I know when I am fully dressed in God’s armor, Christ’s dynamic trio of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom control my thought life.
Knowledge keeps me focused on who I am with, God the Father and God the Son. The attribute named Knowledge helps me to know God’s will regarding my struggle. She leads me to verses that provide solutions to my problems.
Understanding assures me the Holy Spirit has everything under control, and I am to put ALL my concerns, cares, problems or whatever is on my mind into His hands. Understanding guarantees me that I can trust the Holy Spirit. She shows me how the Holy Spirit has NEVER let me down and that He will guide and direct me in how to fight against Satan. Understanding calms me down so I can work within God’s timing.
Wisdom gives me the strength and courage to execute whatever the Holy Spirit tells me to do. Strength and courage are other attributes of Christ that are on standby to help in my time of need.
This dynamic trio keeps me from behaving like an ignorant hotheaded bull. They help me to be patient and properly apply the word of God before reacting to a situation.
With Christ’s dynamic trio, I don’t have to wonder “what’s next” or “what about this or that.” The Holy Spirit will guide and direct us every step of the way. Knowing that I am surrounded and protected by the best Christ has to offer, comforts me and helps me to completely trust God. Trusting God places me in a position to live in His rest, which is perfect happiness.
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