More Than Anything Else

A glad heart looks forward to every day. A glad heart is peaceful, joyful, and hopeful. It is also kind to others; always finding a way to inspire others. It is also grateful. It counts blessings and thanks God for each one of them. Life has meaning when the heart is glad.

Sadly, not all people have a glad heart. All people experience brokenness, in one way or another. Others may have moved on quite well from their broken heart, but there may be others who carry their brokenness for a longer time; some for a lifetime.

When we carry the pain of brokenness, our hearts become heavy. It is burdened with a lot of care. When we are burdened, we do not have peace and joy. We cannot be completely happy when our brokenness is not healed.

Regardless of where we are at a point in our lives now, we can look at life with hope and gladness when we look to Jesus Christ. Jesus promised to give rest to anyone who is HEAVILY BURDENED. But this is with a command to come to Him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

– Matthew 11:28-30 (WEB)

Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

– Psalms 55:22 (WEB)

We can come to Jesus Christ and cast or throw our burdens to Him. Don’t we want to let go of our heavy burdens? When we let it go by casting it all to God, He gives us rest and we are sustained by His presence. Then we can experience gladness of heart. We become glad not because we do not have problems, but because Jesus sustains us and helps us.

You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

– Acts 2:28 (WEB)

God gives us gladness of heart irrespective of the situation. In lack or in abundance, in troubled times or peaceful times, we can be glad.

Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, For you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.

– Psalms 4:6-8 (WEB)

A God-inspired gladness does not rest on the situation but on God. What is the difference? Situations change, but God does not change. So when He supplies us with His grace to be glad, it can be regardless of the situation because we depend on God. This does not mean we never feel pain or sadness. It only means that in spite of pain or sadness, we have hope in God and we can have peace and gladness.

When we are gladdened by God, He makes us gladder than “when their grain and new wine are increased”. Yes, we become naturally happy when provision abounds. We become naturally happy when our needs are met. We become naturally happy when we acquire what we want. However, the gladness that comes from God is more than this. It is more than all these things; more than anything else that is temporal or material.

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

– Psalms 16:11 (WEB)

In this generation, more and more people need gladness of heart that comes from God. All of us encounter sorrows, trials, and pain; some are too difficult to bear. The more we are pressed down by the troubles of life, the more we should depend on God and cry out to Him in faith. He gives peace, He gives strength, He gives joy.

I encourage you to trust the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever circumstance you are facing. May you experience His peace and gladness of heart as you rest in His might!

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB)

May the gladness of heart and peace that come from the Lord Jesus Christ fill you in abundance.