Serenity Saturday Reasonably Happy In This Life

God is always calling us to fullness of joy in Him – reasonable happiness in this life and supreme happiness with God forever in the next. 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4 NKJV)

Life in recovery can be challenging at times.  We have joy in the fact that we are no longer in the pit of our addiction, but, we are now treading waters that are unfamiliar to us.  We are learning new ways to cope with what goes on inside us. We have been the “experts” in surviving our dysfunctional lifestyle but now we are the “newbies” in coping with life in recovery. Thankfully, God has promised to be with us throughout the transition process. 

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  (Psalm 16:1; 11 NKJV)

Is there truly joy in walking in the ways of God?  God called us out of darkness and invited us to walk in the light of His presence.  Like any child learning to walk we may stumble as we learn new ways to move forward.  God however, has promised to uphold us with His righteous right hand and He will never let go.  Like a good Father, God rejoices with us when we walk steadily forward, and, when we stumble and fall down, He encourages us to get up and keep going. 

How happy are the people who know the sound of joy! They walk in the light of Your face, O Lord. They are full of joy in Your name all day long. And by being right with You, they are honored.  (Psalm 89:15-16 NLV)

In addiction, we were in utter despair.  In our new life in recovery, we experience increasing joy as we come through trials.  In the next life, we anticipate supreme joy with God forever.  The trajectory of this journey looks great. 

©2016 Partners in Hope