Philippians 4:4-9

Last night I can to the realization that I was happy.  Not happy in the superficial I-just-got-a-new-car/pair of jeans/cell phone/whatever way.  But the kind of happy the seeps deep down into the recesses of my soul.  Happy like Narnia after the Long Winter came to an end and the Golden Age began.  Happy like the end of It's a Wonderful Life.  If you don't remember, here's a reminder. :) 

But here's the thing, nothing changed for me. Nothing.  

Nothing and everything is the same.  Because here's what I've learned: 

God provides a joy and peace that exceeds earthly happiness on a far greater scale than anything this world can give me. 

I don't need money or grades or success or a boy or approval.  I don't need any of that.  

Jesus is all that I need.  My God truly is enough. 

This is my mindset:

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." 

Philippians 4:4-9 (MSG)