“Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought  under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation  of  spirit.”–Ecc. 2:17

While most people are hunting for happiness, some have given up the hunt. Sadly, some give up on life altogether and a few chose to end it. More than a few suppose that the world is so wicked and the road is so rough that it is useless to even hope for happiness. They have come to believe that regardless of how hard they try it will always be beyond their reach. They are given to gloom, chronic complainers, miserable murmurers, forever finding fault with things. They are a curse to their companions and troublesome to themselves. If they can’t have more, bigger, and better they figure “what’s the use?”. To make matters worse, they get bitter about it. They feel they deserve what they desire and should not be deprived of it. And woe unto the person who they feel is standing in their way. Even God does not escape their wrath in some cases. They feel He is unfairly withholding what they want. Their bitter anger is manifested in numerous ways and directed toward many different people. They wonder, “Doesn’t God want me to be happy?” Yes He does, but He wants you to find your happiness in Him. It is not until we turn to the Lord and seek to please Him that we find true happiness in life.

It would be a great day if folks discovered that true and lasting happiness can be had in Christ.God’s promises and the light of His Word brings hope to the heart, regardless of the circumstances. Rather than giving up, we should accept responsibility for our unhappiness and press onward in the pursuit of God’s will for our life. It is in seeking His glory that we find our greatest gratification. There is no pleasure that equals that of knowing we have pleased God. That’s where you will find happiness.

The complainer is further embarassed by the moral company in which he finds himself. His is a spiritual affinity with some pretty shady characters: Cain, Korah, the sulky elder brother, the petulant Jews of the Book of Malachi who answered every fatherly admonition of God with an ill-humored”Wherefore have we? Wherein have we?” These are but a few faces that stand out in the picture of the disgruntled followers of the religious way. And the complaining Christian, if he but looks closely, will see his own face peering out at him from the background. Lastly, the believer who complains against the difficulties of the way proves that he has never felt or known the sorrows which broke over the head of Christ when He was here among men. After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again believe that his own path is a hard one. We dare not compare our trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation. Any comparison would itself be the supreme argument against our complaints, for what sorrow is like unto His? After saying all this we are yet sure that no one can be reasoned out of the habit of complaining. That habit is more than a habit–it is a disease of the soul, and as such, it will never yield to mere logic. The only cure is cleansing in the blood of the Lamb. AW Tozer

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”–Ephesians 4:1-3

Getting along with other Christians is one of our foremost responsibilities and challenges. At the moment of conversion, we are born into a new spiritual family. We become God’s children, and all those who belong to Him are also related to us. We soon realize what the Bible means when it refers to us as strangers and pilgrims. We have less in common with this world and with those who are a part of this world’s system. At the same time, we have much more in common with our new family. God is our Father; Jesus is our Savior; the Bible is our guide; Heaven is our home; holiness is our objective; evangelism is our purpose; love is our motivation; and integrity is our passion.

This commonness is even more pronounced in our relationship to the members of our church body. We are bound together by the strong cords of charity and purpose. We are united in our care for one another and in our goal of impacting our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, the painful reality is that believers can have a very difficult time getting along with each other, forgiving each other, and remaining loyal to each other. It takes effort to keep our churches unified, as God wants them to be.

The Scripture charges us with the words, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” To endeavor means we have to work at it; it takes labor and effort. Maintaining the right spirit towards one another does not happen automatically. Our flesh can find reasons to hold grudges or harbor ill feelings. The devil is actively working to divide and isolate the sheep from the flock and their shepherd.

As challenging as unity may seem, we know it is possible because it is God’s will for us. We must remain humble, treating others with “lowliness and meekness.” Pride drives wedges between the best of friends. We are to have “longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” Because of our love, we are able to bear with and be patient with each other. By God’s grace, and with the right attitude, we can experience the kind of unity He desires.–Thomas Smith