About this ebook
YouÕre probably wondering why I tried to stay away from Betty if she was such a nice person. The answer is simple: Betty was always unhappy. She fussed about everythingÑfrom the food she ate, to the weather outside. Nothing ever suited Betty, and her continual complaining bothered everyone around her.
Besides bothering other people, unhappiness is actually bad for us. Numerous studies have proven that our outlook on life affects our physical being. Long-term stress and anxiety lower our immune system and leave us open to all kinds of illnesses. The wisdom of Proverbs tells us that Òa joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bonesÓ (Proverbs 17:22).
God doesnÕt want us to lead frustrated, miserable lives. He wants us to be full of the joy of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs also states, ÒThe cheerful of heart has a continual feastÓ (Proverbs 15:15).
To have your heart filled with happiness would be like a dream come true, wouldnÕt it? Are you wondering how you can tap into this joy for yourself? There are a number of clues in the Bible on how to go about being joyful.
First of all, joy will come to us as we search for God: ÒMay all who seek you rejoice and be glad in youÓ (Psalm 40:16). And there is only one way to find Him. Jesus said, ÒI am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through meÓ (John 14:6). When we recognize that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, who suffered and died on a cross as our substitute, and accept him as our personal Savior, we are assured, ÒIn your presence there is fullness of joyÓ (Psalm 16:11). Of course, this doesnÕt mean that life will always be easy and trouble-free. But God will give us a foretaste of the joy that we will someday know in Heaven.
Secondly, staying close to the Lord brings us peace and happiness. ÒI have set the Lord always before me....Therefore my heart is gladÓ (Psalm l6:8-9). Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that when we are led by the Holy Spirit, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: Òlove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.Ó All this spiritual fruit, including joy, certainly makes living in our modern fast-paced society a whole lot easier.
And then we must trust Him. ÒLet all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joyÓ (Psalm 5:11) ÒBlessed is he who trusts in the LordÓ (Proverbs 16:20). ÒThe Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to himÓ (Psalm 28:7).
Finally, to continue to be happy, we should live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. ÒThe righteous shall be gladÓ (Psalm 68:3).
Finding God and keeping close to Him, trusting He will care for us and obeying HimÑall in all, not too steep a price to pay for a heart that is filled with joy. Just imagine how wonderful it would be to wake up each morning and start the new day with the thought, ÒThis is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in itÓ (Psalm 118:24). Couple that with, ÒThe joy of the Lord is your strengthÓ (Nehemiah 8:10), and you can confidently face whatever the day brings.
Are you ready to seek God and find the joy that knowing Him will bring into your life? ItÕs an easy thing to do because He is there waiting for you to come to Him. Romans 10:13 tells us that Òeveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Ó So admit youÕve sinnedÑÒfor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GodÓ (Romans 3:23)Ñand then give your life to God. YouÕll be happier for it, in this life and in the life to come.
You can use your own words or you can simply pray, ÒJesus, IÕve sinned, and I know that You died for my sins. Come into my life and be my Lord and Savior, that I may know the joy of eternal life. Amen.Ó
