2010-08-13 - Fear, Worry and Happiness
Part 3
Happiness
Philippians 4:4-6
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Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
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Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is
at hand.
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Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
We should continually look for things to rejoice in the lord about. We shouldn't
worry but rather "be of good cheer" as Jesus instructed
in John 16:33. There is no secret formula for happiness but here are some
guidance from the Bible on how to be happy.
First, find happiness in adversity. If the problem is actually God's correction,
remember Job 5:17. "Behold, happy is the man whom God
correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty."
God only corrects his own children according to Proverbs 3:11,12. We should
take it as a sign of his love. I feel sorry for kids that didn't get whipped
and taught that doing wrong has consequences. I think the sight of my dad's
old belt would still give me the willies. I thank God for parents who beat
me within inches of my life although I didnt always feel that
way. Each inch was another inch away from the gates of Hell if you ask me.
You can also find happiness in problems when the problems are persecution
for God. The Apostle Peter knew something of persecution for Christ. He was
hung upside down for his faith according to tradition. Look at what he wrote
on the subject:
1 Peter 3:13-15 - And who is he that will harm you, if
ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness'
sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear.
1 Peter 4:14 - If ye be reproached for the name of Christ,
happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their
part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
We've got no business shouting on the mountains if we can't praise him in
the valleys. Good or bad Paul had learned to be content in all things.
Lastly with problems we can be glad when they end. We can be happy to overcome
problems. James 5:11 states, "Behold, we count them happy
which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end
of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
Coming out of the lows makes the highs all the sweeter.
We should also seek happiness in God. We can be happy by learning especially
learning about God and His ways. Proverbs 3:13 declares,
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth
understanding." People in high noise jobs can use technology that
exists that cancels out noise. An ear set cancels out noise with anti-noise.
A small microprocessor hears the noise and plays the exact opposite noise.
Since noise is a wave creating and playing a wave with the exact opposite
amplitude cancels the noise out making silence. The two cancel one another
out. In the same way we can cancel out worry and fear with the anti-noise
of Gods truth.
Happiness may come from knowing about God but a greater happiness comes from
knowing Him personally. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the LORD his God. (Psalm 146:5) No matter what, we have
hope and we know I know whom I have believed and I know He is able
to keep that which Ive committed unto Him against that day.
You can find happiness in following God as well.
Psalm 128:1-2 - Blessed is every one that feareth the
LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
John 13:17 - If ye know these things, happy are ye if
ye do them.
Knowing makes us happy but it's a double blessing seeing it put into action.
We can also enjoy the blessings of having a family. Psalm 127:4-5a teaches
"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..." Jordan is the light
of my life. Dana is special too but there is truly something wonderful about
Jordan. I can be in a terrible mood and he comes up and smacks a kiss on
me and suddenly life is all good.
We can find happiness in relationships not only with God and family but also
with anybody else. We can find happiness and contentment by caring for others.
Proverbs 14:21 says, "He that despiseth his neighbour
sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he." It has
been proven time and time again that if you are down in the dumps and you
help someone out you will feel better. It is so much better to give than
to receive. It is a true blessing to be a servant to others. We can also
find happiness in our dealings with others. When we treat everyone with fairness,
kindness, and honesty, we build strong healthy happy relationships. A shady
business never produces a sunny life.
And lastly, one final way to be happy, is this. Make a change. I have gone
thru a couple of paradigm shifts at work where management decides it wants
to look at things differently. That of course means changes all the way down
to the peon level where I'm at. To reassure us, some manager will generally
make a profound comment like "Dont fear change, embrace it". But really
we ought not to fear it. All some people need to make them happy is a change
and most of the time thats all a baby needs. You can make that
change tonight.
Closing
In your hands you have a list of concerns (assuming you actually wrote them
down when asked). Today you can walk away with those concerns and carry your
burdens or you can bring them to the Lord and lay them at His feet. If you
lay them at His feet throw them away. How foolish it is that we often ask
God to handle something and then after we pray we pick the burden up ourselves
and carry it back out with us. Perhaps even youre here and dont
know God. Youve not experienced his love, mercy, and grace or the happiness
they bring. You can change your life. Nows your chance to surrender
your worry to Jesus, surrender your heart to God.
IHFHBOH
Adam
acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
All verses are from the King James Version unless otherwise specified. |