When temptation comes our way, remember that Jesus offers greater joy than this thing. Stop and consider Psalm 4 and how the writer proclaims, “Who can show us any good? Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”
We don’t need to chase things we imagine will bring life and happiness. We rest in Jesus’ promise that He has come “that [we] might have life and have it abundantly.”
It’s so tempting to believe that abundant life comes about differently than in the life God has ordained for us, so we travel down dark paths to find a joy that doesn’t exist there. We consider new locations, new relationships, new addictions, new purchases, new careers, and new experiences as we hope for that elusive thing we seek but never grasp. We compromise in countless areas all because we want something that we truly believe satisfies the longing of our hearts.
What we seek is found in God–the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams and the giver of the shalom peace our heart needs. Trust Him in this, the one who “richly provides all things for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Trust in Jesus who was so great, so amazing, so utterly fantastic that Peter left everything–everything!–to follow Him (Luke 5:11).