I”VE BEEN THINKING “Don’t Worry – Be Happy” – by John Gummer

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8th July 2012 

 

 

Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. NIV

 

Remember that popular song of a number of years ago –“Don’t Worry – Be Happy!” And why shouldn’t we? Isn’t being happy everyone’s dream?

 

However, happiness is conditional on life and depends on our circumstances – even our environment, our achievements and pleasure all have an effect. Fortunately for most of us it is momentary and short-lived. It is true to say, I believe, that we have placed too much emphasis on happiness as a “right” that we deserve.

 

There is a state that is far more important than happiness, and that is joy, which is a spiritual reality which surpasses happiness.  What has replaced the Easter celebration but the Easter bunny? What has substituted the birth of Jesus at Christmas but Santa Claus? The world’s idea of joy has been substituted by happiness.

 

As mentioned earlier, happiness is reliant on circumstances; joy goes beyond them. It’s true; you can be joyful even if you are not happy. Happiness as the world defines it, involves your environment—your home, your car, your money, your work, and your health—but joy is internal. If you stop and think about it most times happiness is temporary (nothing is the same forever) however joy is unshakable and remains when beauty diminishes. God is not necessarily the provider of happiness but joy has everything to do with Him. Happiness is material; joy is spiritual. Happiness is about your life right now; joy includes now and eternity.

 

If you did a little study of how often happiness or joy appear in the Bible you would find God has much more to say about joy. Writers of the New Testament simply say that joy is the out growing, the fruit of the presence of God within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22, 23)

 

At the end of the day, there is something far more valuable and much longer lasting than happiness as the world knows it, and that is joy.

 

To Ponder

Is happiness a feeling, a circumstance, and joy a personal characteristic?  Think about it a little.

 

Written by John Gummer – some content is taken from Today can be the Best Day – Harold J Sala

I”VE BEEN THINKING “It Could Be Worse”

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24th June 2012

 

Isaiah 41:6 each helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong! ” NIV

 

While in Thailand a couple of years ago I was told of an elderly man who sells shoe laces on a street corner.  Every day you could see him there with his box of laces.  As passers-by went past they would hear his words, “Shoe laces for sale. Please buy some shoe laces.”  Though he was blind he would have preferred to have earned a living without begging, even so, he had to try and sell his laces to support himself.  There he was huddled in a corner dressed in a shabby old coat, with a pair of smoky glasses covering his sightless eyes.  In one hand he held a box of laces, while in the other there was a clue to his situation, a white cane. However around his neck was a sign that aroused the interest of all who passed by.  It was a small metal plate on which was engraved, “It could be worse.” 

 

This is just the kind of message that gives people a lift as they passed by, and so too it can help each of us.  Whenever an irritating situation comes along that brings unhappiness, it would serve us well to think of someone in a less fortunate position and say, “It could be worse.”  There is an opportunity every day to make life a little better that it was yesterday and to seek out exactly what God’s ultimate purpose for our lives really is. We should not let our time be dissipated by complaining because we seem to be worse off than our friends or family. Rather, we should give God thanks for an opportunity every day to seek His direction ensuring that we spend our time wisely.

 

Happiness is not a place to arrive at.  If this was the case, when we arrived we would never move.  Happiness is the attitude of an individual.  Unfortunately it fluctuates, but it can grow deeper the longer we live if we are in a close relationship with our God.

 

Those who are inclined to be self-centred, whether an executive, teacher or labourer, are always in constant doubt because of worries, fears, jealousies and insecurities.  Those who live courageously and selflessly have firstly come to terms with themselves, secondly with their surroundings and importantly with God. Whatever their situation they have accepted their lot, and with God’s help, make the most of their lives. 

 

Remember “It could be worse, huh.”

   

To Ponder

If you are better off than others, have you then, more responsibility for others?

 

Written by John Gummer – some content is taken from Living God’s Way – Rueben Youngdahl.

I”VE BEEN THINKING “About True Values” 3rd June 2012

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Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right,

    giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

    giving light to the eyes. NIV

 

 

At dinner one night, a couple were discussing their lives.  The wife all of a sudden turned to the husband and remarked, “One day we will be rich.”

 

The husband took her by the hand and said gently, “Honey, we are rich.  Someday we may have money.”

 

For some people their values of life are very confusing.  The main reason being, they don’t take time to count their blessings or appreciate how well off they really are.  They must have some kind of intentional blockage that that stops the blessings that God can pour into their lives.

 

There once was this woman who had a huge problem with her nerves, so distressing in fact, she visited a psychiatrist.  Her biggest problem came when she was at the kitchen bench washing the dishes. After asking lots of questions, so as to ascertain what could cause all the headaches and distress, he learned that she faced a blank wall whenever she was at her sink. The psychiatrist sent her home telling her to have a window cut out over her sink.  Wow, once the work was completed how  her world changed and was enlarged causing her illness to disappear completely.  

 

The famous American singer from the late 1800’s, Lillian Russell, was once asked how she remained so much at peace in spite of all the problems of life. “I have put a sign on my mental door,” she replied. “Only the serene and lovely can enter here. Thousands of voices try to call me away from my resolve, but I have trained myself not to hear them. I hold myself together, not by straining against the winds of life, but by always sitting calmly in the centre of the storm where there is no wind.”

 

How different would our lives be if we would only decide to think about the lovely things of life?  When we walk down the street, look at a garden, every day we are surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation yet we see nothing.  We don’t notice that beautiful butterfly, the sun in the sky, the smiles of others around us, and all the other manifestations of God’s wonder and love. 

 

Rich?  We don’t have to wait!  Count your blessings right now and you will be surprised at just how well off you are.  You will discover really how much God has provided for you as He daily gives to you out of His great richness.  

 

To Ponder

Will we ever be happy in this life if we wait for all living conditions to be perfect?

 

Written by John Gummer – some content is taken from Living God’s Way – Rueben Youngdahl.