How To Be Happy

A common misconception here in America is that6 things or people can make us happy.  As a result, people spend their lives trying to get the newest thing or find someone to make them happy.  They are dissatisfied and discontent with everything about their lives, and tend to blame other people.  As we saw earlier, the problem is that they have not learned to appreciate what they have. 

When they left Egypt, the children of Israel complained constantly when things were not instantly the way they wanted them, even after years of seeing God supply miraculously.  They were constantly looking back to the things they had in Egypt, such as cucumbers and onions and fish, while ignoring the fact that as slaves, they had been abused and even killed without reason.  Eventually, God told them that none of those who had complained would live to go into the land and for forty years they wandered in the wilderness, until all those who complained were dead.  They would never have been satisfied if they had gotten to go into the land, so God didn’t allow them to go.  As Luke 9:62 tells us, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” 

Happiness and contentment come from our inner attitudes, not from outside influences.  The Israelites attitude, caused them to be unsatisfied with what God had provided, but it also prevented them from receiving what he wanted to give them.  In the same way, discontent and dissatisfaction with our lives here can prevent us from enjoying what we have at the moment, as well as preventing us from ever getting the rewards we could have had.  For example, a resentful attitude may prevent one being promoted at work, or cause conflict in a marriage.   

In Philippians 4, Paul gives some very clear guidelines as to how to have a happy and contented life.  Philippians 4:4-6 lay out the basic principles.  “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

Literally, Paul says to enjoy the Lord’s blessings always, instead of complaining when something doesn’t go just as you think it should.  Remember that the Lord is coming back and live in a way that you would not be embarrassed if he came and today, so that you don’t have to live with a guilty conscience.  Instead of worrying about things, pray and let God know your concerns, thanking him for what he is doing and trusting him to do what is best for us.  If we will make the effort, Philippians 4:7 promises, “ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

If we stay focused on the problems and things we don’t have, we will never be satisfied, and it will be impossible to rejoice fully.  Philippians 4:8-9 tells us the kind of things we need to focus on in order to have the best life possible.  “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.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”  When we make the effort, God will give us his peace.  If we are focused on the problems we will never be happy, or have peace.