How Are Christians Happy?

[Coconut]

How Are Christians Happy?
Part I
Bible study on happiness.

Happiness is a lifestyle. It can not be purchased or earned, nor does it exist in a place to which one may travel. Happiness is a perspective - we may be happy or sad in every aspect of life.

Joseph was sold, by his brothers, into slavery and eventually purchased by Potiphar. Joseph was put in charge of his master's house and suffered sexual harassment from Potiphar's wife. When Joseph would not consent to her advancements, he was framed and subsequently thrown into prison. Having been put in charge of all the prisoners, Joseph came upon the butler and baker and asked: "Why do you look so sad today" (Gen. 40:7)?

Although this story may sound like a present-day soap opera, we learn that Joseph was the type of person to make the best of every situation. One may conclude that Joseph had sufficiently dealt with his imprisonment to live happily. This is demonstrated by his concern and care for the butler and baker to inquire into their sadness.

Why do you suppose Joseph could maintain his dignity in prison? Why was he of the state of mind to care for the emotional wellness of others while he was apparently oppressed? Why did he have a perspective on life of relative happiness at least to recognize that the butler and baker were sad? Let me suggest that the answer is revealed in Joseph's gracious and forgiving attitude toward his brothers. After the death of Jacob, Joseph's brothers were afraid that he would hate them and repay them for the evil they had done to him. So they went to Joseph and begged for mercy. Joseph's response was: "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about that as it is this day, to save many people alive" (Gen. 50:19-20).

Joseph was able to put away the sadness brought by evil because he realized the greater good from God working in his life. So it is with us today. We are happy when we trust in God and see His hand working in our lives to turn every situation into something good. In Romans 8:28, 37-39 Paul says: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, . . . Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is the Christian's key to happiness? Love the Lord, know that He will work all things together for good, and trust God that we will conquer the trials of life. Paul exemplifies this same confidence in the Lord when writing from prison saying: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

Often times, the only thing keeping us from being happy is ourself. But, if our confidence rests in God rather than self, we will be happy having received the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).

 

[Coconut]

How Are Christians Happy?
Part II
Bible Study on happiness.

Makarios is usually translated "blessed," but sometimes it is translated "happy." It is translated "blessed" to identify the fact that Christians are happy because of God. Herein lies the difference between a Christian's happiness and the happiness of unbelievers.

Secularly, happiness is defined as being favored via luck or good fortune. But Christians are happy when we are favored by God as opposed to luck or good fortune. As was the case with Mary, she considered herself to be blessed (happy) having been appointed to bare the Son of God (Lk. 1:42-47). But through the eyes of unbelievers, she was far from blessed. Mary bore a child out of wedlock. Unbelievers would consider her a fornicator or adulterous. Even Joseph, to whom she was betrothed, considered her to be a woman of sin before learning the truth. From this example, we see that happiness (the state of blessedness) is a perspective - one may either consider himself to be blessed (happy) because of God or unhappy because of worldly misfortune.

In the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12), note what kind of people are happy (blessed) - those who are: poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted, reviled, and falsely accused of evil. Why do you suppose they are happy? To the world, these people do not have any reason to be happy. They should be sad and depressed.

Now notice the reason for their happiness - because: theirs is the kingdom of heaven, they shall be comforted, they shall inherit the earth, they shall be filled, they shall obtain mercy, they shall see God, they shall be called sons of God, theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and they have a great reward in heaven. These people are not happy because of what they have, but because of what they will have in the future. Their happiness rests in the sure promises of God to reward His children. True, some of God's blessings are received on earth, but the greatest are received in heaven.

As part of God's eternal plan, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 3:24-25). And because we walk by faith, we will not see all of God's blessings or else our walk would be by sight. Perhaps this is one of the Christian's greatest challenges - to walk by faith and live happily in the Lord.

Let me close by reminding you of these three blessings.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. . . . that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them" (Rev. 14:13).

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6).

"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city" (Rev. 20:14).

If we remember our earthly and heavenly blessings, if we realize the life we shall live in the spiritual body, and if we walk by faith having confidence in the Lord, what can overcome the happiness we receive from God? Nothing - except our own selfish ambitions.

 

[Coconut]

Psa 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.
Psa 40:2 He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.
Psa 40:3 He taught me to sing a new song, a song of praise to our God. Many who see this will take warning and will put their trust in the LORD.
Psa 40:4 Happy are those who trust the LORD, who do not turn to idols or join those who worship false gods.
Psa 40:5 You have done many things for us, O LORD our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all--- their number is so great!
Psa 40:6 You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,
Psa 40:7 and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.
Psa 40:8 How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."
Psa 40:9 In the assembly of all your people, LORD, I told the good news that you save us. You know that I will never stop telling it.
Psa 40:10 I have not kept the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help. In the assembly of all your people I have not been silent about your loyalty and constant love.
Psa 40:11 LORD, I know you will never stop being merciful to me. Your love and loyalty will always keep me safe.
Psa 40:12 I am surrounded by many troubles--- too many to count! My sins have caught up with me, and I can no longer see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and I have lost my courage.
Psa 40:13 Save me, LORD! Help me now!
Psa 40:14 May those who try to kill me be completely defeated and confused. May those who are happy because of my troubles be turned back and disgraced.
Psa 40:15 May those who make fun of me be dismayed by their defeat.
Psa 40:16 May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, "How great is the LORD!"
Psa 40:17 I am weak and poor, O Lord, but you have not forgotten me. You are my savior and my God--- hurry to my aid!

Psa 100:1 Sing to the LORD, all the world!
Psa 100:2 Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs!
Psa 100:3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock.
Psa 100:4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him.
Psa 100:5 The LORD is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.


Psa 126:1 When the LORD brought us back to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!
Psa 126:2 How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, "The LORD did great things for them."
Psa 126:3 Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were!
Psa 126:4 LORD, make us prosperous again, just as the rain brings water back to dry riverbeds.
Psa 126:5 Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy!
Psa 126:6 Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest.

Jas 5:10 My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering.
Jas 5:11 We call them happy because they endured.

 

[DAJ85202]

"Joseph was able to put away the sadness brought by evil because he realized the greater good from God working in his life. So it is with us today. We are happy when we trust in God and see His hand working in our lives to turn every situation into something good. In Romans 8:28, 37-39 Paul says: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, . . . Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What is the Christian's key to happiness? Love the Lord, know that He will work all things together for good, and trust God that we will conquer the trials of life."

I cannot thank you enough for posting this. I may not get to met you in this life, but I hope to in Heaven. I want to thank you for the above, because it has saved my mind, my heart and my life. I mean that sincerely. Depression had taken over and was enveloping me. As I read this, I cried my heart out, squeezing all the tears out that would come. Jesus spoke to me deeply through this. Jesus was there when all the bad things happened. He was appalled at them, hurt by my hurts and grieved with me. I never realized that. And because He does love me, He is going to work with me in each situation to turn it around, to overcome it, to bring Him glory through it. satan has meant it for evil towards me, but God is bringing great glory to Himself through all the ways HE changes things!!!

 

[Coconut]

Well now there are tears streaming here too...God bless you Sister! *Hugs*

'He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time...' Hallelujah!

YouTube - Through the Fire w/ lyrics on screen