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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “ Matthew 5:8
It was reported a while ago that the most difficult day of the year, from a psychological point of view, is the third Monday in January. It is suggested by some, that this is because the holidays are over for the year and perhaps the credit card bills are coming due. Others wonder if maybe it is because of the long winter days. It is hard to say why we get emotionally low but the circumstances around us must play a role in it.
A new study just released this week shows that people get most discouraged with life in their forties for men and late thirties for women. Again it is thought that unrealized expectations play a part in this “down” time for people. Interestingly, in the same study, it was discovered that people who live in the darkest and coldest regions of the world are the happiest people of all. I wonder if that is not because they are forced to build relationships with each other. Happiness for many people is found in the love and companionship they experience in life.
All of this research and discovery about happiness should not surprise those of us who study the Scriptures. God rewards those emotionally who work at and sacrifice for human companionship. Walking with the Lord naturally brings us into closer and more satisfying relationships with others. The horizontal relationship always affects the vertical relationship of this life. Happiness is not so much a matter of our circumstances, time of life, or geographical location, but rather how we relate to each other and God in whatever place we find ourselves. If we expect God to bless us and live in a way that He can bless us we will be happy regardless the calendar date or the biological calendar within us all.
Happiness is not the goal of the Christian life, but rather is the bi-product of living selfless lives for the glory of God. If we will seek the Lord and follow His leading there is peace and through peace and abiding joy and even happiness. But trying to acquire happiness by creating the right circumstances around us will generally be frustrating and at times in our lives may lead to real despair. This is what Jesus says about happiness in Matthew 5.
Matthew 5:3-10 (TMSG)
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being careful, you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and hear—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.”
Happiness is the Lord!
Keith VanArsdol
Pastor
The Community Church of Moab
Moab, UT
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