What Does “A Better Life” Mean to You?

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10 NIV.

What does “a better life” mean to you?

For most, our picture of a better life is a pain-free, problem-free existence. But, if you’ve lived outside of the womb for more than thirty seconds, you already know the implausibility of that concept. Job said, “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1/ESV). Kind of pessimistic, but we get it. Life is hard, but there are a lot of great examples of people who’ve accomplished amazing things despite the obstacles they faced.

What if a better life is having a healthier attitude about who you are and what you face? What if it’s taking the cards as they've been divinely dealt to you and playing your best hand? What if it’s an intentional mental shift to stop playing the victim, taking a sword in one hand to fight your psychological enemies and a hammer in the other to build a better Jerusalem in your heart, as the Old Testament Nehemiah did?

More money is nice, yes. But it doesn’t guarantee a better life. More joy is a better life. Happier relationships make for a better life. A body that can rise to the physical challenges of each day is a better life. Making life better on the inside is the key to making life better on the outside. You already have all you need. It’s time to get started.