'Cause I'm Happy

Hello my friends! Hope you're having an awesome week thus far!

I wanted to spend some time today talking about happiness.  We live in a society today where it's all about ME and what makes ME happy.  If something or someone doesn't make us happy, we get rid of it in our life.  If we feel like we "need" something to bring happiness, we immediately try to obtain it and won't be happy until we get that thing.  Our happiness, as a society, is very much based on our emotions, our possessions, and our circumstances.

If we're dating (or even married) to someone, we expect them to make us happy and when they don't anymore, we get rid of that person.  And we're encouraged to do so, aren't we?  Our friends will say things like "well, whatever makes you happy..." or we hear things like "Life is too short!  You should be happy."

We see that someone else has the latest iPhone or the latest Michael Kors handbag or has a bigger house than us or a newer car than us and we immediately think, "If I had that, I would be so much happier." 

And of course our circumstances make us happy.  We're getting married so we're happy!  We got a promotion at work so we're happy!  We graduated college so we're happy! 

The thing about our emotions, possessions, and circumstances is that they are constantly changing.  Our emotions betray us, don't they?  One minute you love him, the next you don't (or maybe that was just my story!).  Our possessions come and go and with every new possession, there is always something newer around the corner.  Our circumstances are fleeting.  Every moment is just that... a moment.

What if I told you that our happiness shouldn't be dependent on US and what WE want but on GOD and who HE is?  Philippians 4:11-13 states " I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  What Paul is basically saying is that in everything, be content or happy.  And how do we do this?  We do this through Christ who gives us strength.

In Philippians 4:4, we read "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!"  To me, this doesn't sound like a suggestion.  It's not like "hey, friend.  When you're feeling up to it, make sure to rejoice."  This verse is saying to rejoice in the Lord.. ALWAYS - no matter if you got up on the wrong side of the bed, if you have little to show in possessions, or if your circumstances are not the best at this very moment.  God is still good.  God is still God.  God still loves you.  God still forgives you.  God still woke you up today which means that you, my friend, have purpose!  So rejoice!

When you set your eyes on "Kingdom living", you have no other choice but to be happy.  When you know that you will one day walk into eternity and all of these troubles will be over, you can't help but rejoice.  So today, dear friends, be happy in Christ!  May you be filled with an overwhelming joy that shines through you everywhere you go for the glory of God.

 

"Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know that God is in love with you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know that Jesus is the Truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know that He's your Savior too"

(I took some liberty to change a couple of words but this version is so much better!:))

 

God bless you!