21 Jan 2008  Finding Yourself                                                                                                                     Articles Contributed by: Carin Hansen http://denver.yourhub.com/Littleton/Stories/Faith/Faith-Advice/Story~417838.aspx I keep hearing about women who leave their husbands, families, fiance's and boyfriends because "they need to find themselves". What  have we done in our society to make women (or men) leave those who love them for a pursuit of only God knows what?!  There is really no way around it...trying to find yourself is a spiritual issue. What it comes down to is this; our humanistic society has taught  us that we have a right to be happy. We have been told that it doesn't matter whether you hurt others emotionally - you are all that  matters. You deserve to be happy and live well.  So, a mother who is tired of the drudgery and wants to have"a life of her own" takes off to find herself. The truth is that for this season of  her life she has already found herself. She is a mother to children who need spiritual, emotional, physicial and mental training. What greater  purpose could there be?! Oh it may not be exciting and exotic - but is is challenging and rewarding.  Then there's the young woman breaks up with her boyfriend because she feels she needs to"find herself " independent of him. Guess  what? With or without him she will never find herself unless she who God says she is. She hurts the one she is dating because she feels she  needs something more than he can give. Again, what she needs is the reality of God in her life.  No one will ever find themselfves in a person, event circumstance, possession or position.  What is it that really makes a person happy? Well, it is different, to some extent, for everyone. However, it is very important to remember  the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is dependent on our circumstances. It is momentary and fleeting. Joy, on the other  hand, is a state you find yourself in. It comes from a deep satisfaction and contentment. Those can only ultimately be found in God.  Every person is created by God and therefore is a creature loved by God. Here are some of the things the Bible says about how God made  YOU and who you are because of that.  ...you were knit together in your mother's womb  ...God formed you - intricately and curiously - (as if embroidered with various colors)  ...God so loved the world - that's you!  Wow! God sees you as an original piece of art . We can only truly find ourselves by knowing who we are to God and what He desires of us. If you do not have a Bible go to  www.BibleGateway.com and type in these verses to learn more about who you are to God. Choose the New Living Translation or The  Message . They are the easiest to understand. John 15: 14 and 17  1 Peter 2:6 1 Peter 5:7 Ephesians 1:8 Don't buy our culture's lie that you can find yourself in anything but God. You are His child. Snuggle up in His arms figuratively and find  yourself TODAY!  Carin g Hansen Home, Books, Resources, Recommended Products, Articles, Blog, Homemade Beauty, Support, Services, About, Contact Us, Site Map, Newsletters