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February 25, 2008
Pursuit of Happiness
So, do you Facebook? Have you given in to peer pressure yet? Well, you should. I don't know why you're resisting, you stubborn-headed thing! It's great. It's leagues ahead of myspace!
Anyway.
There is an application that you can add to your page that is really cool. It's called "Define Me", and despite being a bit narcissistic, it's a neat tool. People can leave anonomous words that describe you. The more one word is repeated, the larger it grows in your box. It's gotten me to thinking about how I want people to see me, not just how they see me.
Above all, I want people to see me as joyful. I want it to be in large print, obvious in everything I do, everything I say. I want joy to underline everything else in my life.
For that to happen, I must actually BE joyful. Which is not something that happens accidentally. Joy is the result of purposeful action.
Are you depressed? Sad? Are you angry? Are you stuck in the past, unable to forgive hurts and neglects? Are you tired? Weary of the everyday tasks before, that stretch out as years of endless labor? Stressed, overwhelmed?
Are you unsatisfied? Do you feel short-changed? Do you have regrets that you can't get over? Do you daydream yourself into another life?
Are you bitter? Or are you just empty? Doing what needs to be done because it must be done? Do you see that life is rich and good for other people, but not for you?
Okay, well hang on to your seats, boys and girls, 'cause here's the magic formula. It's so easy, you won't even believe it.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances , for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Yup. That's it.
If you answered yes to any of the above questions (and haven't we all at some time and point in life?), then you are now equipped with the solution to your lack of happiness.
BE JOYFUL. Simply, be. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy. Be cheerful, lighthearted! Don't fight it. Drink from the cup of delight! It's an action verb- it's not something that randomly rains down on you, it's something that you DO. You know how to do it, because you were created in God's image, and He is a joyful God. It's innate. Look for the joy, it's the molecular structure of life. It is the natural state of things-- the way He intended it.
PRAY CONTINUALLY. Are you praying every day? If not, then you shouldn't be surprised at your unhappiness. Are you praising God in your prayers? Try it for an entire prayer, don't ask for anything. Just marvel at Him. Recount to Him all the amazing things He's created, the wonderful things He's done. You cannot help but lead into #3, which is, I think, the real zinger in this formula...
GIVE THANKS. Start counting your blessings. Literally. Start with the easy ones, your family, your children. And let them pour out. The more you thank God for, the more you see to thank Him for! It will build and build until you are pressed on every side with the abundance of a God who loves you. Discontentment, self pity, bitterness- these things can't stand in the face of a thankful spirit. You cannot be thankful and unhappy at the same time. Try it if you don't believe me. It is simply not possible.
Sadly, being the weak vessels we are, these three simple things are monstrously difficult at times. And the farther we are away from joy, the harder we fight coming back to it. It's human nature. But there's no exception clause in the verse-- not when tragedy strikes, or in poverty, or when flames lick our feet. Circumstances don't dictate joy, we can't wait for everything to align up in our life to produce it. That's not the way it works. And joy doesn't dictate circumstance, either. Just because you are doing these things doesn't mean that it will remove adversity from your life. But as Paul says, I have learned to find contentment in want, and in abundance. Isn't that a beautiful thing? I want that to be said of me. That I have a peace that passes all understanding.
Today, be joyful. Pray. And thank God.
Then tomorrow, be joyful. Pray. And thank God.
And life will not be merely the pursuit of happiness. It will be happiness.
It really is just that simple.
Spiritual Places | By WonderGirl | 10:36 AM
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Comments
thank you. i needed this.
Posted by: madeline at February 25, 2008 2:15 PM
Thanks for that! Very well said-- Speaking of facebook, I would love to know who defined me as "bossy." Really, it could be any number of people, I guess.
Posted by: Rhonda at February 25, 2008 9:34 PM
and I KNOW it was you that defined me as smarty pants. Hmph.
Posted by: ash at February 26, 2008 12:00 PM
Who, me? As if I'd do something like that.
Shame on both of you.
Posted by: WG at February 26, 2008 12:23 PM
