2010-08-13 - Fear, Worry and Happiness

Part 3

Happiness

Philippians 4:4-6

4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6. 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 didn’t 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 God’s 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 I’ve 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 "Don’t 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 that’s 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 you’re here and don’t know God. You’ve not experienced his love, mercy, and grace or the happiness they bring. You can change your life. Now’s 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.