Category Archives: purpose

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The Difference Between Happiness and Joy

We find ourselves so busy and distracted on most days that we miss out on the real blessings of life. We get caught up in the pursuit of a living a fulfilling life by continually seeking moments of happiness and joy, often using these terms interchangeably and missing out on both. It is good to stop every now and then to take a little bit deeper exploration that can reveal some distinct nuances between these emotions, each carrying its own significance in our emotional landscape and our ability to live the blessed life we were created for.

Happiness is often seen as an emotional state characterized by contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction derived from external circumstances or events. Happiness at it’s best is fleeting, dependent on situations, possessions, relationships, or achievements. This transient nature makes happiness vulnerable to fluctuations; it can be attained and lost quickly. Just as quickly as we get up, we can find ourselves right back down, if we are totally dependent upon happiness for our satisfaction and fulfillment.

Conversely, joy transcends those transient moments; it’s an enduring and profound emotion that originates from within. Joy is an inner sense of peace, contentment, and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. It can coexist even amidst hardships, difficulties, or uncertainties. It’s a profound sense of well-being that springs from a deeper connection with oneself, others, or something greater than oneself. Joy is a gift of God to His creation.

While happiness is often a reaction to external stimuli, joy is more intrinsic and often linked to spiritual, emotional, or psychological well-being. Happiness may come and go with life’s ups and downs, but joy provides a stable undercurrent, shaping our outlook on life and opening us to receive the greater blessings that God has for us, regardless of the circumstances and situations of life.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Understanding the differences between happiness and joy can be life transforming. Pursuing happiness might involve seeking fleeting pleasures, whereas cultivating joy involves nurturing a sense of gratitude, mindfulness, and embracing life’s experiences with acceptance and openness.

The pursuit of happiness is valid, but solely chasing it may lead to a perpetual state of dissatisfaction, as external factors fluctuate. On the other hand, nurturing joy can provide a more stable and profound sense of contentment and purpose.

In essence, both happiness and joy play essential roles in our emotional well being and personal growth. Happiness brings moments of delight and satisfaction in the external world, while joy acts as an internal anchor, providing a deeper and more profound sense of fulfillment and peace.

Finding a balance between both emotions is key to living a fulfilling life. Striving for happiness in everyday experiences while cultivating joy through practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and fostering meaningful connections can create a harmonious blend, which enriches our human experience.

Ultimately, acknowledging and appreciating the differences between happiness and joy allows us to navigate life’s challenges with a more holistic perspective, leading to a life infused with both fleeting moments of happiness and a steadfast sense of inner joy. A life that is worth the living that gives glory to God and brings blessings to all around…

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Finding Your God- Given Purpose!

We live in a world filled with challenges and it is very easy to get so caught up and lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday living. And in this very mixed up place it is very possible and most likely that we will lose sight of the deeper questions that echo within our hearts that are meant to guide us to better and more productive places. Questions like: “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” You know, those fundamental questions about our purpose in life which often lead us on a quest for real meaning and personal fulfillment. Many believe that understanding and embracing our God-given purpose is the key to unlocking a life of true significance and I have to agree that this is the track that we need to be traveling on.

Discover The Source Of Your Purpose:

Our sense of purpose is intricately woven into the very fabric of our existence. For those who believe in a higher power, understanding that they are created by a loving God provides a proper foundation for discerning our unique purpose. This belief suggests that each individual is intentionally designed for a specific role or calling in this grand tapestry of life. This makes sense to me, because when I look around, I see a design and if there is a design, then there must have been a designer.

Unfold Your Unique Talents and Passions:

God endows every individual with a set of unique talents, gifts, and passions. These innate qualities serve as clues to our purpose. When we identify and cultivate these gifts, talents and skills, we often find ourselves naturally gravitating towards activities and pursuits that bring us joy and fulfillment and this is a great indicator of where we can locate and get in touch with our purpose.

Serve Others As Light To Guide You To Your Purpose:

One of the most powerful ways to fulfill our God-given purpose is through service to others. Acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness not only impact the lives of those we serve but also provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for ourselves. This principle is echoed in many faith traditions, emphasizing the profound impact of loving our neighbors and is best summed up by the Golden Rule, which states that we should do unto others as we would have others do unto us.

OvercomeChallenges And Navigate Detours:

The journey towards fulfilling our God-given purpose is not usually a straight path, in fact it is often a bumpy road of curvy ups, downs and sideways. Challenges, setbacks, and detours are part of the human experience. It is in these moments of adversity that we can, in fact discover real opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, can lead to unexpected blessings and a deeper understanding of our purpose.

Live With Intention And Mindfulness:

Living with purpose requires intentionality and mindfulness. It involves aligning our actions, decisions, and priorities with our understanding of God’s calling for our lives. This may mean letting go of distractions, negative influences, or unhealthy habits that hinder our progress towards fulfilling our purpose. The biggest battle you will ever face will be with yourself!

Find Fulfillment Beyond Material Success:

The world today often equates success with material wealth or external achievements. This is why it is extra important to recognize our God-given purpose and how it can lead us to a deeper, more meaningful form of fulfillment. True contentment is not solely found in worldly possessions, but in the knowledge that we are living in accordance with our divine calling by being who God created us to be and by doing what God gifted us to do.

Embrace The Ever-Evolving Journey:

Understanding and embracing our God-given purpose is not a static endeavor. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving journey that requires openness to growth and change. As we mature and gain new insights, our understanding of our purpose may deepen, leading us to new opportunities for service, learning, and self-discovery. It is not about perfection and getting everything right. It is about learning from our mistakes, sins and failures, so that we are better the next time around.

Live And Learn!

Embracing our God-given purpose is a transformative journey that offer us the invitation to seek a life of meaning, significance, and fulfillment. It calls us to recognize our unique gifts, while using them to serve others with love and compassion, all the while trusting in the divine plan even and most especially in times of uncertainty. As we walk this path, we discover that our purpose is not only a destination but a way of living that brings light and hope to the world around us and this is purpose fulfilled…

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What If You Really Believed?

Not Everyone Has Jesus, But They Can!

It’s not politically correct now a days to talk about Jesus, but it will always be spiritually correct and spiritually correct is more important than any other kind of correctness we can ever achieve. It is possible to know about Jesus and not know Jesus. Knowing Jesus in a personal relationship is what makes the supernatural difference in our life that allows us to have life changing connection with our Creator.

I like to think of life divided into three major areas: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. If we ever hope to take the physical and mental to it’s greatest place, then it will be because we have first worked on developing and strengthening the spiritual part of our life with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

This is why we should see Jesus not just as God’s Son and not just as a Savior, but also as a mentor and life coach. When we read the story of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, this is exactly what we see Jesus doing. Jesus is leading, mentoring, guiding, directing, training, teaching his disciple how to live and see life and eternity from a totally different perspective than the rest of the world.

I mean think about it for just a minute: A really good guy through the ministry of life coaching mentored twelve guys and a group of followers for three years and changed the world! The results of Jesus as a LIFE COACH still impact our lives today!

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. -1 John 4:9

What could Jesus do with your life if you allowed him to life coach and mentor you through his Church and Word? How would your life look different physically, mentally and spiritually, if you allow the supernatural power of Heaven to flow to and through you? Why do we insist on trying to do this thing called life in our own limited weakness, when we have failed over and over again trying it our way? When are you going to get ego and self out of the way, so that you can discover what really matters? Who could you be and who does God want you to be and will you allow yourself to get there with His help?

These are the questions that matter. These are the questions that will change your life. These are the questions that we need to use to challenge and investigate our way of living. When we ask and answer these questions honestly, then we will see our need to not just know about Jesus, but to know Jesus in a real and personal way. And when we know Jesus in a real and personal way, our life will begin to line up behind his leadership and in his leadership we will find the meaning and purpose that helps us to live a life that is filled with blessing and glory for God…