“If God Is Happy with You, You Don’t Have to Worry about Anyone Else” by Joan Y. Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=D68Bi0hCCBg
For Lent 2024, I wrote this reflection for St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC. I hope it brings you peace.
In elementary school I would lean up against a friend and say, “Thank you for being my PLP, My Private Leaning Post.”
What an awesome idea! You know who makes the best-ever Private Leaning Post? God does. Lean on him. He is available to help and protect you twenty-four hours a day. Ask him.
If God is happy with you, you don’t have to worry about anyone else. You are not responsible for other people’s happiness. You are responsible for your intentions. Why did you say it? Why did you do it? What did you want to happen? You are not responsible for how others react to your thoughts, words, and actions.
If someone takes offence at something you say or do, it hurts. They seem perturbed and unhappy with you. You are human. You care what those you love think about you. They might misunderstand you. You might not even understand yourself.
Lean on God. Spend time talking with him. Tell him all about it. Let him filter your emotions, thoughts, words, and actions with his loving wisdom. Hand over your tough emotions to God. He will help you dive deep to uncover the source of your problems and ways to find peace. He will replace your ignorance with knowledge. He will transform your anger into patience and turn your hurt into compassion and peace. He will help you accept yourself and those you love with courage and trust.
Remember this: If God is happy with you, you don’t have to worry about anyone else. These are joyful words. And they are good words to lean on.
Amen.
Scriptures to help you:
1. 1 Cor 13:5 “love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not keep a record of wrongs;”
2. Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
3. James 1:19 “Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
we become mindful of God.
4. Emily Cronkleton. Healthline. “10 Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief and More:” https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercise
5. Sara Lindberg and Kerry Weiss. Healthline.com. “22 Ways to Calm Yourself Down:” https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-calm-down
6. Zen Habits. “32 Ways to Make Someone Happy:” https://zenhabits.net/ways-to-make-someone-happy-today/
Thank you for being here. I would be honored if you share this with those you believe will enjoy it. Please leave a comment. I really like hearing from you!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2024 Joan Y. Edwards
Subscribe now to get a free gift and to receive an email with new articles that inspire, encourage, inform, and add humor to your day.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2024 Joan Y. Edwards
Flip Flap Floodle Firebird Book Award Winner Will this little duck’s song save him from Mr. Fox?
Joan’s Elder Care Guide Practical ways to help you and your elder survive.
Here’s another Bible verse that I’ve gone to a lot when I feel hurt about not getting the response I wanted from another person.
Psalm 146:3-5
King James Version
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Dear Carol,
Thank you for sharing the scriptures that help you when you don’t get the response you want from someone. God is so good to us. He gives us words that fill us with peace.
Never Give Up
Joan
I so enjoyed hearing your video and message!
God is certainly happy with you, Joan E. Edwards!
Have a blessed Holy Week (March 24-30) and a wonderful Easter.
Dear Joan Reid,
Thank you for writing. It is always a pleasure to hear from you. I am glad that you liked the video and message. You are so sweet to tell me that God is happy with me! Do something fun for you today?
Never Give Up
Joan
I love your enthusiasm and wisdom about leaning on the Lord. I shared this with my sis!
Linda
Dear Linda,
Thank you for writing. I am glad you liked this post about leaning on God. He is a great PLP, Private Leaning Post. I depend on him. God is good to us.
Never Give Up
Joan