By Shane Kastler
King Solomon had everything he could possibly want out of life, yet he was still miserable. All the money, fame, women, and power only left him empty and broken. He wrote, “I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17)
Many people seem to struggle with a hatred of life. Sometimes the events of life are more than they can handle. Tragedies leave a person feeling hopeless and helpless. Other times, there is no apparent cause for the depression. People who seem to have many blessings are nevertheless in great despair. Regardless of what the cause for the misery is, the remedy is the same.
Apart from a relationship with the Lord, there is no lasting joy to be found in life. God created us, and as such, he knows full well how to satisfy us. By turning from our sin in repentance and committing our life to Jesus Christ by faith; we can begin the journey to joy. This doesn't mean that we will never be sad again. But it does mean we will have the ability to find contentment, even in life's most trying circumstances.
The Apostle Paul lived through amazing amounts of suffering and persecution, yet he was able to say, “I have learned to be content, no matter what my circumstances are.” (Philippians 4:11-12) He also declared, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) And therein lies the solution. Joy is not found in temporal pleasures that are sure to pass away. But rather in the eternal nature of the Lord. To truly know the Lord is to know peace. And apart from him, no lasting peace can be found. Trust in Christ and find the joy that only your creator could ever truly provide.
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