Wanna Get Happy?

Hello You Highly Favored Child of God!

Thank you all so much for all your very intriguing, enlightening emails! Interestingly, the topic of happiness generated the most response of anything I’ve ever sent out!

It is clear that as desired as happiness is by most, (some people actually prefer misery, no joke!) it can be a confusing, complicated thing. While hard to explain, you all seem to know when you’re happy and when you aren’t!

Happiness does not have to mean a constant state of exhilaration and euphoria, but there is definitely a lifting and lightening of our loads. And who couldn’t use that now a days!!

Here’s my proposition:

God wants us to be happy. He is on our side! And there are over 70 verses that give us clues.

Besides the Word, a vast number of clinical studies done over the last decade aid us as well.

One interesting, though not surprising “discovery” is: contrary to our Constitution, the pursuit of happiness is fruitless!

Ah…. but didn’t I say it’s God’s heart and intention for us to be happy? Absolutely!

But we do not get happy by pursuing happiness.

Happiness is actually a RESULT of many different factors all working together. And we can be totally happy in one area of our lives, and not so happy in others.

So, let’s get real…. 24/7 happiness in every realm of our lives is pretty unrealistic!

And yet, we could all stand to be happier! I mean authentically happier, not the fakey, stuck-on-the-face-smile-happy. I mean the kind of happiness that gives us more energy, a greater sense of peace, freedom, and generosity.

So, come with me and let’s start digging for treasure.

Psalm 1. Great place to start! As far as I can tell, it is in this Psalm that the Hebrew word for “happy,” often termed “blessed,” is first seen.

For today, let’s just look at the first two verses … and as we do, please resist the urge to treat this verse like a platitude.

I’m pretty sure you have heard and seen this passage before, and so there will be a tendency to say, “Oh, that… ” and dismiss it.

Scripture can be mere information, or it can be power-packed, spiritual nutrients for our hungry souls … so let’s purpose in our hearts to take God’s word on the subject of happiness and ask Him to make it real and meaningful to us, carrying it around in our minds and hearts throughout the day.

Devour this food and let it energize you!

Blessed (HAPPY) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2

There was a time that I thought this verse meant that I had to cut certain people and places out of my life. And maybe for a season that was alright, seeing as I had so little confidence in who I was in Christ.

Years ago, as a young attorney, I desperately wanted to leave my job, and eventually I did. I found it very difficult to be around all those ungodly people, all those who mocked my God, all those who delivered worldly advice and wanted me to do the same. It hurt to be misunderstood and hear negative things about the One I loved so much.

It was not a happy place.

But this verse is not talking necessarily about cutting anyone out of our lives! It’s really about – who are we listening to?

Even after narrowing my field of friendships, I still had to deal with my own inner critic – you know, that voice within that torments you in the night, “advising” you as to what you shouldn’t or should have done, telling you what you are and what you’re not, filling your mind with fears and worries!

Sometimes the counsel of my own inner voice is pretty ungodly and does not agree with the love of God. Listening to it has caused me a great deal of stress and unhappiness.

There’s also a bit of a scoffer in most of us, right? Isn’t that what we do when we hear the word of God and add a “yeah, but…” after?

Whenever we place our experience or what we see in others’ lives above what God says… well, that is a bit of scoffing. And as the word says, that does not lead us to a happiness!

So, what does? (go to part 2!)

Royal Diadem

All of a sudden, there is was!

Your Key To Confidence