Pastor Chris Hodges – Church of the Highlands
Alabama, USA

So I Hated Life

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun… So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17

I’m frustrated.
…Life is useless, all useless. You spend your life working... but what do you have to show for it? ... The world stays just the same. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 GNT

I’m tired.
The sun still rises, and it still goes down... the wind blows… round and round and back again. Every river flows into the sea... [then] the water returns to where the rivers began and starts all over again. Everything leads to weariness – a weariness too great for words... Ecclesiastes 1:5-8 GNT

I’m unfulfilled.
…No matter how much we see, we're never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we're not content. History merely repeats itself... Ecclesiastes 1:8-9 NLT



Focus on the Eternal

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

1. Pray.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

2. Serve.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life... John 6:27

3. Give.

They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. Psalm 112:9 NLT

4. Share Christ.

…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… Hebrews 12:1-2



TALK IT OVER

On a scale of 1-10, how much would you say you love life right now? How did you land on that number-was it from being frustrated, tired, or unfulfilled?
What truths from the Bible do you need to find to outweigh your problems? How will you go about that?
How will you do all four things this week to refocus your mind on the eternal?
It's been a busy week, but taking time to talk it over with someone can help you take your next step toward loving life again. Find more at www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.