Why Are So Many Christians Unhappy?

Have you read 1 Peter 1:8 lately? “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 

 If you believe the scripture to be true as I do, then why are so many believers sad?

I suppose I could understand how a terminal cancer patient in horrific pain or a parent who stayed up all night with a sick child might suffer melancholy. In his classic book, Spiritual Depression, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, writes some by nature tend to exhibit a sad personality. As a counselor, I have observed that to be true. Also, we can’t forget the evil one thrives on stealing our joy.

However, the Christians who I have noticed to be the most miserable are those who live on the fence. They seek pleasure and satisfaction from the world but when that fails they hop back to God for security and fire insurance. This tango of tangled affections leaves them exhausted and confused.

Think back to the Garden of Eden when the serpent duped Eve into thinking the world had the pleasures of life not God and his plan. Is he not trying to trick us into the same sorrow today? My advice is to do as David did and declare, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25). Our steadfastness will lead us to a soul soaring with joy.

Code Blue-Gray Proposal

What a great conference last week! I have finally caught up on my sleep from the "Called to Write Conference" in Pittsburg, Kansas. Some nights I was so inspired to write, I couldn't settle down to

close my eyes. Sleep evaded me another night when I stayed up late to write a book proposal.

Debra L. Butterfield, CrossRiver Media

Code Blue-Gray: Hope and Humor for the Ill (a working title for now) was given to CrossRiver Media for consideration. The bulk of this book will chronicle my health journey from the end of 2013 to the present. Interspersed there will be one-liners, cartoons, and humorous poems. My hope is Code Blue-Gray will be marketed in hospital gift shops to give the dying and depressed some comic relief and hope for healing. Please pray with me as CRM reviews my proposal . I have met two editors from CrossRiver and was impressed with both. Debra Butterfield, Nonfiction Acquisitions Editor for CRM, presented several workshops at the conference. One I especially enjoyed was "Creating Captivating Characters." Deb is pictured to the left. If you would like to get updates about this upcoming book, please leave me a comment and I will add you to the growing list.

Kathleen Y'Barbo

CALLED TO WRITE

I am looking forward to the Called to Write Conference next week in Pittsburg, Kansas. Featured speakers are best-selling author Kathleen Y'Barbo, prolific-freelance writer Jane Landreth, and Jeane Wynn of Wynn-Wynn Media. Ramona Tucker of OakTara, whose father passed away and her mother is gravely ill, will not be able to present. She will be replaced by Debra Butterfield, acquisitions editor for CrossRiver Media. This event is hosted by the Christian Writers'  Fellowship of Girard, KS. If you would like more information on this great conference go to the link below. I hope to see you there.
        Called to Write Conference 2015