Be happy, make happy!
Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil 4:4)
We live in a sad, sad world. People are worried sick and go about with long faces. That’s why the Psalmist says, “If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psa 119:92). He found a way to be happy and immersed himself in the Bible. Paul was in prison, yet found reasons to rejoice. When Matthew Henry lost his bag with money to a thief, he said: “I am happy I was only thieved and I am not the thief.”
That teaches us a lot of lessons on happiness. Unless we are happy, we cannot make others happy. Sad people depress the world where already depression and suicide are ubiquitous. Make yourself happy somehow. You can have a grand meal or go to a park or shopping or do whatever you enjoy. The best way is to find assurance from the Word of God. Songs often lift up our hearts from a pit of sorrow. Israeli girls often sang and danced (Ex 15:20).
The world looks to us for peace and happiness. Start with your own family. Is your family happy? Do your husband and children love to come home? Are there goodies in your fridge? Do your children have a smiling, laughing mom or an angry, grumbling, criticizing, faultfinding tyrant? Relax — Children are children. Let them be children. Be gentle, loving, kind and embracing. Play with them, tickle them and find ways to make them laugh. When Rebekah came, the shadows in Isaac’s life departed (Gen 24:67). She was loveable. If there ever was one person who need to be in low spirits, it was Leah who was trapped in an unhappy marriage. But she was praising God for everything. Happiness is a choice and we need to choose to be happy, so we can make others happy.
The fruit of the Spirit is joy. Fruit is not just for us, it is others to enjoy. Let us put it to practice. Think of ways to make people happy. First stop reminding them of their past failures. Stop criticizing them. Appreciate them (including children and husband) even if you find a small good thing. Give gifts. Gifts lift up one’s spirit. Don’t be super-spiritual and become a spoilsport.
The world is all out to knock you on your head. But rise above every situation to praise God. After telling us to rejoice Paul gives the formula for joy in Philippians 4:6,7. Memorize it and recommend it to others so we all can be happy. Make your world a happy place for everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Be happy, make happy!
Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil 4:4)
We live in a sad, sad world. People are worried sick and go about with long faces. That’s why the Psalmist says, “If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Psa 119:92). He found a way to be happy and immersed himself in the Bible. Paul was in prison, yet found reasons to rejoice. When Matthew Henry lost his bag with money to a thief, he said: “I am happy I was only thieved and I am not the thief.”
That teaches us a lot of lessons on happiness. Unless we are happy, we cannot make others happy. Sad people depress the world where already depression and suicide are ubiquitous. Make yourself happy somehow. You can have a grand meal or go to a park or shopping or do whatever you enjoy. The best way is to find assurance from the Word of God. Songs often lift up our hearts from a pit of sorrow. Israeli girls often sang and danced (Ex 15:20).
The world looks to us for peace and happiness. Start with your own family. Is your family happy? Do your husband and children love to come home? Are there goodies in your fridge? Do your children have a smiling, laughing mom or an angry, grumbling, criticizing, faultfinding tyrant? Relax — Children are children. Let them be children. Be gentle, loving, kind and embracing. Play with them, tickle them and find ways to make them laugh. When Rebekah came, the shadows in Isaac’s life departed (Gen 24:67). She was loveable. If there ever was one person who need to be in low spirits, it was Leah who was trapped in an unhappy marriage. But she was praising God for everything. Happiness is a choice and we need to choose to be happy, so we can make others happy.
The fruit of the Spirit is joy. Fruit is not just for us, it is others to enjoy. Let us put it to practice. Think of ways to make people happy. First stop reminding them of their past failures. Stop criticizing them. Appreciate them (including children and husband) even if you find a small good thing. Give gifts. Gifts lift up one’s spirit. Don’t be super-spiritual and become a spoilsport.
The world is all out to knock you on your head. But rise above every situation to praise God. After telling us to rejoice Paul gives the formula for joy in Philippians 4:6,7. Memorize it and recommend it to others so we all can be happy. Make your world a happy place for everyone.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
