Everyone wants to be happy, but few people know how to achieve it.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that all men have a God-given right, not to BE happy, but to PURSUE happiness.
The whole world is pursuing happiness. Nearly everyone is trying to find it by trying to change their external circumstances. People think, “If only I made more money, then I would be happy.” They believe, “If I had a different job, I’d be happy.” Or, “If I were not married to my spouse, then I would be happy.”
While external circumstances can present challenges, the truth is, they cannot make us happy. Conversely, we can choose to be happy no matter what our external circumstances may be. Some of the unhappiest people I know are very rich. Other folks have “dream jobs” and are still miserable. The opposite is also true. Some folks seem to be happy even though they are facing tough conditions in life.
There is power in having a positive attitude!
The Bible instructs us many times to focus on God’s goodness.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thes. 5:18)
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4)
Interestingly, these verses are commands. In fact, in the Bible, God commands us to give thanks 91 times! Not once does the Lord say we should wait until we feel thankful. Similarly, 300 times the Bible commands us to rejoice, and not once does it say we should wait until we feel joyful.
The truth is, if we already feel thankful or joyful, we won’t need a command; we will automatically give thanks and rejoice.
No, we are commanded to do these things mainly when we don’t feel like it. That’s because God knows that when we do, something amazing happens inside us. When we take our focus off what we perceive as negative circumstances and set our hearts on God’s promises, his love, goodness, and grace, the negative feelings go away, too! When we thank, praise, and rejoice in God, our hearts and minds become filled with joy, and the anger, depression, loneliness, and fear disappear!
What’s more, when we thank and praise God for the truth of His promises, speaking His Word over those circumstances, our faith will release God’s power to change those circumstances! God calls those things that are not as though they were! (Rom. 4:17) He instructs us to do the same.
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:22-24)
When Paul and Silas went to Philippi, there was a young girl who was possessed by a demon of divination. Some folks were using that spirit to get rich from soothsaying. When Paul cast the demon out of her, they got angry and stirred up a riot. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. They could have gotten discouraged and depressed. But, instead of focusing on some pretty bad circumstances, they chose to rejoice. The Bible says:
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)
The jailer ended up getting saved and baptized along with his entire family!
Today, let’s renew our commitment to being happy. We can choose it and don’t have to let our circumstances control our feelings. Let’s set our minds on the positive, give thanks in everything, and rejoice in the Lord always! Then, let’s watch as the “prison doors” in our life fling open and we walk free!
