I would like to use a quote from Charles R. Swindoll taken from his book “Paul,” from chapter seven – Finding Contentment in God’s Sufficient Grace.

“I need to underscore a foundational fact: God’s goal is not to make sure you’re happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it’s time to do so. Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It is about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. Unfortunately, we will rarely hear that message proclaimed today. All the more reason for me to say it again: Life is not about you! It’s about God.”

(Allow me to provide the ending before we even get started. As far as happiness goes, we only find true happiness when we put God first in our lives, even superseding our own desires for self.)

Is it possible he might be on to something here? I for one strongly agree with his statement. Generally speaking, we are most definitely a society of Christians who are more interested in our well-being than God’s plan. I’ve been guilty of it, and if you’ll be honest, you will admit the same. Of course there are those who will never admit it.

It is a fact that we should be focused on becoming the man or woman that God wants us to be, instead of being consumed with our comfort, happiness, success and pain. Is it wrong to want comfort, happiness, success, and desire to be pain free? Of course not. Any sane person would want these things, but as a Christian, what should be my primary goal? Should our goal be God’s goal?

Since Mr. Swindoll’s book is about the Apostle Paul, let’s use Paul as an example.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul states the following:

“… I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

Are we so silly to think that Paul would not have liked to avoid all the suffering he endured? Was he not human, as we are? I’m sure he didn’t go from town to town thinking “I just can’t wait to get another beating.” What mattered to Paul was that he was in God’s will, and being in His will brought him comfort, happiness, and success, even though they were mixed with pain. Notice what he says next.

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:30)

Paul learned something about God’s grace that maybe we have forgotten. Listen to him in this passage.

“…Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

The grace of God provides all that we will ever need as Christians. It is nice to live in worldly comfort, but it isn’t necessary for true happiness. Things of the world can make us happy, but they don’t last, because they don’t go deep enough to fulfill the longing that God put within us. It would be great to go through life and never suffer pain, but let’s get real; pain is always around the next corner. True success is a relationship with God that overrides everything else. Let’s hear from Paul once more.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

In closing I would like to use another quote from Charles R. Swindoll taken from his book “Paul,” from chapter eleven – A Game Plan for Facing Extreme Circumstances.

“When we awaken in the morning, we choose the attitude that will ultimately guide our thoughts and actions through the day. I’m convinced our best attitudes emerge out of a clear understanding of our own identity, a clear sense of our divine mission, and a deep sense of God’s purpose for our lives.”

Moses’ protégé Joshua had this to say: “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

Who are we serving? Is it the god of self-interest? Much of the Christian world today is so absorbed in our own well-being we’ve lost sight of what is really important.

What is my identity? Who am I? Am I not a child of God?

What is my mission in life? Is it not to serve my Lord and my God?

What is my purpose in life? Is it not to be in my Father’s will?

Jesus gave us the example to follow. Over and over He said, “Follow Me.” It isn’t about us. The Christian life is about following Jesus. He is the Master. We are the servants. We should never forget that.

Grant Phillips

I was very blessed with wonderful Christian parents, but I’m not so naïve to think that everyone has shared the same blessing. I’ve seen too much while living in this world and know that is not true of far too many.

The world has changed much since I was a young man. In the 21st century it is not at all uncommon for many to not even know who their father is. It is also not uncommon that many have suffered from the hands of a tyrant known as their father. Many step fathers and live-ins have entered the homes of America and have caused great anguish upon the innocent.

Before I go any further, I do want to make clear that many fathers and step fathers have been caring and loving parents. Unfortunately though, the ‘bad seed’ is far too numerous in our culture today, and this is where we have a problem.

God portrays Himself as the Heavenly Father, and rightly so to those who come to Him through His Son. True Christians know, or at least they should know, that God their Father is a loving God. Even when we are disciplined by Him, He does so in love, not to hurt us, but to help and protect us.

We Christians know and have experienced the indescribable love that He has shown in His provision of our salvation and adoption. But what happens when trying to tell an unbeliever about our Heavenly Father when they have had a bad earthly father? They instantly make the comparison, and conclude that God is always ready to beat them over the head if they mess up or will take advantage of them in some way.

Being a father is very important, whether you are the natural father or step-father. Those men who have brought harm upon the souls of the children in their care will be judged by God, and their punishment will be severe. Even hardened criminals in prison do not let those go unpunished.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

To place upon an innocent child’s mind that God the Father is a tyrant because their earthly father is a tyrant is a dangerous place to be. It sickens decent people to think of some of the things evil men have done to the innocent. The evil that is perpetrated on some children could cause a child to grow up never coming to the knowledge that the Heavenly Father is a loving God.

There is one solution to this problem that God has provided.

Jesus said, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7)

There it is. We can know exactly what the Heavenly Father is like by looking at Jesus. This is one reason for really studying the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and sharing them with the young. We should constantly remind them that “Would you like to know what God is like? Let us look at Jesus. He said that He and the Father are the same.”

Many adults today suffer from bad experiences in their youth with ungodly fathers. Even some Christians think God is always ready to bring judgment down on them if they fail Him. This just isn’t so. God is not some foul-mouthed, unshaven, jerk with evil intentions toward you. He is not holding a club over his head just waiting for an opportunity to beat us with it when we don’t toe the line.

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)

Even as His enemies (prior to being saved) He loved us so much He died for us and paid for our sins so that we could come to Him and be saved through Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

If we look at Jesus life we will see what God is like. Why, because Jesus is 100% man, but He is also 100% God.

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He wraps us in His own righteousness. We are as pure as He is, not because we don’t sin, but because He accepted our faith in Him and gave us His righteousness.

Experiencing real, true love that comes from God in Jesus Christ, we are so grateful we don’t want to sin against Him anymore. Unfortunately, we do, since we still live in these earthly bodies. What happens? Do we lose our salvation? Absolutely, unequivocally, no, we do not. We do harm our relationship with Him though, but God loves us so much, He has said that if we are honest with Him and just ask His forgiveness, He will forgive us and restore us to a most pleasant relationship with Him.

“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)

If you are not a Christian, God is not your Heavenly Father. He is your Creator, but not your Father. To the Christian though, we have a Father in Heaven that loves us more than we could ever know.

One more thing; never compare your earthly father with the Heavenly Father, because no matter how good an earthly father you may have, he will never measure up to the Heavenly Father. If you, as I did, have had a good earthly father, that may be hard to swallow, but the Heavenly Father is so much more.

Earthly fathers are not perfect, even the best ones. As a father, I made plenty of mistakes, but my Heavenly Father has never made a mistake in any way with me. He is always perfect, and I can’t wait to be with Him in Heaven.

If you have previously had a negative attitude about your Heavenly Father as a Christian, I pray you will see Him in a different light. Look at Jesus.

If you are not a Christian, look at Jesus. The Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to come to Him, but you must come through His Son.

Grant Phillips