Simplicity is Rarely Achievable

While our hearts are pure, our lives are happy and our peace is sure.
William Winter

I'm totally drawing a blank on thoughts for this one. I googled this guy and don't know who he is - he could be a 16th century naval officer, 20th century writer or currently living lawyer or football player.

So in trying to guess the intent of his thoughts he seems to be saying that if we are without sin we will be happy and peaceful. Maybe I'm currently too pessimistic but that doesn't seem possible for more then a few minutes to hours (to be pure - not the happy peaceful part). Seriously, I can't get through one day without sinning in thought word or deed. I assume I'm not the only one.

Can we be happy and peaceful when we aren't pure? Well, that's an interesting spiritual struggle. God has saved us from our sins so I think it is possible to be relieved that we won't have eternal consequences for our bad decisions and to experience some level of peace and even happiness. Yet as His children we should also be discontent to continue in inappropriate behavior, so we should still feel dissatisfaction with our sin when we know we aren't pure of heart.

What about when our hearts are pure in a circumstance and others have been the ones to hurt us - can we still be happy and peaceful? (Thinking of Job in the Bible and other experiences friends and I have been through) I think it IS possible, though it's very hard. It takes a lot of work to maintain an attitude of peace and happiness during difficulties. When others let us down or treat us in ways we believe God doesn't want us to be treated there is a tension between how to view the events and how to respond (whether to be silent or not).

So in general I'm not too fond of this guys quote. We should be striving to have a pure heart. We should be asking God to give us peace and happiness but it isn't as simple as this guy makes it out to be...and it sorta seems like trying to work ourselves to the security that only God grants - and that security doesn't depend on whether we are pure or not. If that was the case none of us would EVER know happiness or peace. Anyone else have thoughts on this quote?