The Secret of Being Happy

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." - Philippians 4:12

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:8

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre." - Psalm 92:1-3

Dear God, 

Teach me how to be happy no matter the circumstances. God, today, You know my troubled thoughts and troubled heart. Even when I cannot put words to what is troubling me, You know them loud and clear. God, please show Yourself in a huge way to all of us who depend on the protections on the ACA as the republicans have set their sights on that even more so again. God, You are Provider. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Every Reason to Be Happy

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:28

"To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6

Dear God, 

Be happy and shout with joy. I have every reason to be happy because You are here with me now and Heaven is waiting for me in the future. You have already paid for my sins and my mistakes and covered me with Your own perfection. No matter what is going on in my life, I can count on You. No one can steal me out from Your hand. Pray at all times. Pray especially when I am struggling. May the Spirit help control my thinking and help me to pray. I have every reason to have hope and be patent in the midst of trouble. God, my troubled thoughts today are that I am finally being moved forward toward having IVIG for a trial on and trial for period and I am terrified about the republicans trying to take away my access to healthcare. We don't have universal care because republicans think it's socialism and that somehow socialism is a bad thing. Republicans are greedy monsters who don't like paying their taxes even though You have said they are supposed to. They don't want others to have what they need because it might end up going to someone who is just "lazy." God, I'm struggling to see You and to feel You right now in the midst of all of this hostility that the republicans are putting forth. They are not the republicans I knew when Bush was in office. They are demonic. They are anti-everything You stand for. Please help me to keep holding Your hand. Don't let go of me! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen