Ok, so if you haven’t had the chance to read my first blog about finding peace within yourself, take a look at it here! Some of the points I will hit on today will make a little more sense if you read “Part 1” first.
Again, if you want to listen to Jimmy Evans’s entire message on peace, check it out here through Gateway Church.
What is it that attracts you to someone else? Is it their sense of humor? Personality? How they carry themselves? Their smile? Their beliefs? For me personally, it’s always been that genuine sense of happiness they project to the world around them. I mean, correct me if I am wrong, but there’s just something about pure happiness that is down-right contagious. You want to surround yourself with people like that because you want to feel what they’re feeling every.. single.. day. But, what is it that leads to that undeniable happiness? How can someone be so happy all the time? Peace people. Peace.
“Non-believers are attracted to your peace.”
Again, I’m not a perfect person, but happiness is something I try my hardest to share with the world each day. And, on the days I struggle sharing my happiness with others, I begin to question my own peace. Of course, It never fails. When my happiness isn’t the first thing another person notices, then I’m not at peace with something in my life. As I continue to grow, I try to take a step back at these times and dig a little deeper to reclaim the happiness stolen because of fear, discouragement, regret, discontentment, worry…etc.
Folks, this is not an easy thing to do. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things for me to do because at times, I get stuck in my own head and want to dwell on what’s bringing me down. But, where does that get me? Nowhere.. Absolutely, nowhere. Take control of your own happiness because whether you believe it or not, we feed off one another’s energy — good and bad. Think about it… Are you attracted to someone who’s in a bad mood or moping around? No! But, we are attracted to that person with a big smile on their face, laughing and enjoying the beauty of life surrounding them. That happiness right there… that’s God. That’s peace.
Now, how can we be sure we start each day off with that kind of happiness?
“Be humble and sing praise to God.”
Again, so much easier said than done. But, it’s how we can share our happiness — our peace — with others. Never take anything for granted and let the world know that you’re thankful for the many blessings you’ve been given — a spouse, family, friends, children, a home, your health — all the things. And then, thank God. When others see you doing this and see your happiness, they will want it too! That’s exactly how God intended it to be as well. That’s how you spread happiness + peace.
Furthermore, isn’t this what we want we want our children to see as well? I know I do! And, when I think back on the days I’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, and mumbled and grumbled about everything going wrong, I want to go back and slap myself out of it. Most times on those days I end up taking it out on my kids, and they suffer too. I’m stealing their happiness.. Their peace. How selfish of me! Our children learn from us, and we need to teach them how to be a symbol of happiness and peace to those surrounding them as well. So, teach them to be humble.. teach them to be kind.. teach them to be like Jesus. And, mamas, I hear you. This is not a walk in the park. It’s a daily struggle for me as well. But, we’ve just got to take it one day at a time.
“It’s all in your perspective—where your mind is! Life is what you make it! Your environment will mirror your inner peace.”
“If mama not happy, ain’t nobody happy!” How many times have we heard this? But, you know what, — and I have to tell myself this quite often, my friends — why am I truly unhappy? Most times it’s for some silly reason that I won’t even remember tomorrow. And, if I would just change my perspective, my situation would be much different. I want to be the happy mama! What about you? Of course, we’re human, so know that you’ll have setbacks. You’ll have days where you just don’t feel like being happy. And that’s ok. But, it’s about recognizing when those feelings creep up on us and knowing what we need to do to change our perspective and be that attraction to happiness + peace + God that others seek. Create a domino effect of bliss through your faith.
In conclusion, I guess what I felt Jimmy / God were saying to me was that I need to make an effort each morning to start my day off in the presence of peace and happiness. I need to show my kids how to be humble and kind.. Show them how to create an environment that’s full of contagious happiness + peace + love. Because, they’re watching me. They’re watching my every move. Learning from me how they should act towards one another. And why wouldn’t I want them to act just as Jesus did?
