How to be happy

Perhaps you have said, “I will surely be happy when….” Or “I will be glad when….” We spend a lot of our lives looking forward to some event or the completion of some project that is to make us happier than we have ever been before. In doing so, however, we miss a tremendous amount of joy that the Lord has for us each day.

The Apostle Paul reminded us in Philippians (which was written while Paul was in prison, not the type of prison we have now, but a dungeon) that we should “Rejoice in the Lord always.” He also said, “In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Have you ever thought that being unthankful for everything is to be out of the will of God?

Perhaps you are going through an experience right now that is not of your liking. The natural tendency is to say, “I will surely be happy when this trial is over!” But the right Christian attitude is the attitude of gratitude! Job could say, in the midst of it all, “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) While Job was not comfortable in his trial, he was content that God knew what was happening and that He had a purpose for the trial.

Since “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), we can give thanks for the current good thing that is happening in our lives. As Habakkkuk said, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Some of the most spiritual persons I have met have been those who are going through great trials, and should have ample reason to complain. They have chosen, however, to let the Lord be manifest in their lives through their suffering. The joy of the Lord has become their strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

For more about handling Trials see: 0101 Trials and Temptations