In this post I would like to share my insights about what it takes to truly ‘feel good’.  Health issues can automatically make us ‘feel bad’ so I won’t trivialize the challenge in how ‘to feel good and positive’ when our body is suffering.  But assuming there are no health issues causing distress and an interruption in our plans, then there is a formula I believe is very important to understand and it is:

Be Good – Do Good – Feel Good

It is possible to live a life where we pursue what ‘feels good’ only to discover that the pursuit of what feels good leads us to feel incomplete, dissatisfied and hungry for something to fill the void inside yearning for satisfaction.

The Bible tells us God has a plan for us, but how many of us are truly listening to God’s inspiration and praying for His plan to unfold as He wills it?

God spoke these words to Jeremiah, but they are true for all of us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Self-knowledge is something that can be a painful endeavour, but in the absence of knowing one self and having a clear sense of who we truly want to be, it is unlikely we will ever feel fulfilled.

I ultimately discovered as I entered middle age, around the age of 40, that I was confused.  I felt incomplete and it was because I didn’t have the right relationship with God and I had no true understanding of what He wanted from me.  I realized as I began to search for meaning in my life that I wanted to please God.  I realized ‘money’ and ‘career’ would not make me happy.  I realized as I began to pray and connect with God that my personal fulfillment would be tied to my ability to fulfill the plans God has for me and to make Him smile!

“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”  Psalm 40:8

There are many ways we can please God and all of them involve one important ingredient — Love!

When Jesus was on earth, the scribes asked Him:

“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  Mark 12:28

To this He answered

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”  Mark 12:29

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:31

At the end of your life, what will people say about you that was true?

He was quite a player?  The ladies loved him!

He was a wealthy man and he was so generous with his money, helping so many people and causes?

He was stingy and self-centered?

He was a workaholic with no time for family and friends only his career?

He was brave and kind?

He was powerful and he used his power to control people and profit?

She struggled but never stopped trying to do good?

She was merciful and forgiving?

She was a gossip?

She was a woman of faith and prayed for everyone?

If we don’t know who we want to be, we will never become that person.  In fact sometimes in the absence of clarity of who we want to be, we can become exactly the type of person we dislike.

This Christmas, find a bit of time to reflect on your progress in becoming the person you want to be.  Ask God for His inspiration.  Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and know that God will smile at you.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Unite with me daily at the Time Our Lord Jesus died for us, 3pm, in our local times or in a time zone that works for you and remember how much Jesus loves you and me and all souls.  He died for us! Pray for God’s mercy upon you and me and all souls and know that God answers our prayers!  Never stop believing in the promise of a new beginning and in God’s infinite power to heal us and change our lives.

What God really wants from all of us is Love!  Love is the choice that pleases God.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”  1 Corinthians 13: 4-9

My wish for you this Christmas is that you become very clear about ‘who you need to become’ and start the New Year fulfilling that identity with each and every choice.