But the problem with placing such high expectations on other human beings is that it is a recipe for disaster. Human beings are fallible. They make mistakes. They occasionally are selfish. They can be rude or moody. No human being is perfect.
The happiest people realize that there is only one source for all things: God.
When we make God our source for all things – happiness, finances, health, etc. – life becomes much easier. We aren’t pressuring others to fulfill those needs. Instead we are turning to God and are saying, “Help me.” And the beauty of it is that God will answer that prayer. He may not answer it in the way that we expect, or in the timeframe of our choosing, but He will answer. And He will take care of us.
For instance, let’s say your spouse is in a bad mood. He or she is being crabby and difficult. It is hard to not let that behavior affect you. It is hard not to feel tense. But when God is the source of your peace, He is also your source of relief. So you can take a break from the situation – go for a walk, get a cup of tea, etc. – and spend time with Him. And if you ask, God will ease your tension. He will give you peace of mind and the ability to be calm regardless of what another person is doing.
Maybe your child is having a bad day. He or she is being defiant and hard to manage. God can be the source of your rest. Send your child to their room with a toy or book, and then take a break with God. You might sit down and read something spiritually uplifting. Or you may lie down, rest your eyes and meditate. You can visualize God being with you. One thing I do in times of stress is to pretend that I am lying down in the palm of God’s hand. I find that to be incredibly comforting. Perhaps there is an image that you can think of that calms you. Once you’ve had your time with God, then you can return your child refreshed. You can give your child a hug, and do something positive with him or her.
