Happiness

I had a man ask me this question, “how can a person be happy when there is so much negative stuff going on?” “People always want you to be happy but doesn’t tell you how.” Happiness is a choice. Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 8, 9, Living Bible – “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” Being unhappy is a form of loneliness, which is oppressive. At one time in our life we go through some form of depression and that seems to be the darkest times of all. When this happens you face unknown territory. In this spiritual realm, you will experience fear, anger, pain, (physical and mental), and loneliness. This is the best time to get to know God, and let Him show you who He says you are to Him. Don’t stay where you are now, take the word of God and hide yourself in it. Take one daily step at a time. God speaks to us in our loneliness. God may even allow loneliness as an invitation to seek Him, draw near to Him. God reveals Himself in many ways. Loneliness is not a time of dissolution or desertion; it is a time to encounter a new level of life that only God can bring you through. That empty place in your heart, that dry and barren emotion, gets God’s attention. God yearns to fill our hearts with Himself. Too often we try to fill the desires of our hearts with things of this world hoping they will make us happy. These attempts to replace God only put us in a deeper state of depression and confusion, and we become even lonelier than before. When you find yourself facing loneliness, make this an opportunity to make Jesus your best friend. John 15: 15 NIV – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” If you don’t know this Jesus, all you have to do is believe He is the true Son of God, and ask Him to forgive you of all sin in your life and be the Lord and Savior of your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and stay with you, teach you God’s word, and help you walk in the presence of God all day, everyday. AMEN Glynnis Whitwer wrote, “God has a purpose for loneliness. If we can learn from it, rather than resent it, I believe we will find a life-long Friend who will never leave us lonely." Therefore, I am asking you to spend at least five minutes sitting in the presence of God. Invite Him to be real to you, and listen for His voice. What will you do to be a better friend to God? Matthew 6:33 NIV – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Do not wait until you are feeling desperate and feeling worthless before you try Him, start today. When you start to inch your way toward Him, all the time He is running to you. His word lets you know you are His pride and joy, you are the head and not the tail. He sent Jesus to die so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. We all face problems, but that is our spiritual journey to gain wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual strength. Shalom!