What makes you happy?

A list of all the things people believe will make them happy can have surprising answers. For instance, one taken in 2015 had the following (and more like them) on their list of 50: Sleeping in a freshly-made bed. Feeling the sun on your face. People saying "thank you" or a random act of kindness from a stranger. Finding money in unexpected places. Having time to myself. Laughing so hard it hurts. (Link) 

Another list of a dozen items is mostly about relationships. Other people can make us happy.

As I read this, I thought how nice it would be if my name was on someone’s list of ‘things that make me happy.’ Today’s devotional verses say that this has possibilities. Jesus said:

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38–39)

Two notable truths jump out of these verses. One is that the Holy Spirit flows out of the hearts of believers. Since the Holy Spirit is the source of joy, then this joy is part of the flow. How wonderful to be joyful, not just for my own self but for those around me. I know people like that; they just make me happy. One is a little girl of about four. She sends her drawings to me in the mail and shyly smiles at me every Sunday morning. Another is a woman in her nineties. Last week she liked the pants I was wearing and asked me to leave them to her in my will. She makes me happy.

The second thing I notice is that the Spirit of God was given when Jesus was glorified. Tozer says this is a spiritual principle: The Holy Spirit will not flood from His people unless they are glorifying Jesus Christ. He adds that by dedicating myself to the glory of Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes the initiative to deepen my walk, to raise me up to a closer relationship with the Lord, to open my eyes to increasing knowledge of Him, and to fill and bless me.

When this happens in relationship with other believers, the flow becomes a river, an overwhelming abundance of joy that we bring to one another. This joy is not only our strength as God’s people, it is our unity — like a gentle song sung in incredible harmony . . .

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5–7)

Tozer says, to glorify Jesus is the business of the Church, and to glorify Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. My part is to keep short accounts with God and with others, and to walk in loving obedience.

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Lord Jesus, when Your people are filled with Your Spirit, we make each other happy. This is such a wonderful gift of grace and mercy. Fill my heart to overflowing, today and always. It would be wonderful to one day see a survey of what makes people happy that puts Jesus Christ and His church at the top of the list.

Faith in Christ >>> blessed

There are two Old Testament words for blessed. One is God blessing us without any cause and us blessing God. The other originates more in humanity and in our doing something to bring a blessing to our lives. In the following verse, the word used is the second word for blessing (also translated happiness).

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:5)

Tozer writes that our clamor after happiness can be a snare. Certainly the devil has a host of lies regarding what will do it. Health, wealth, possessions, popularity, achievement, a new house, a big boat, many friends, successful children, the list goes on.

However, this verse describes two requirements that will bring blessing or happiness to me. One is that my help comes from God. I need not trust anything or anyone else. In relying on Him, I will never be ‘helped’ into a sad or sorry state. His assistance in all my life produces blessing and joy.

The second requirement for blessing is hoping in Him. This is about expectations. I might have an unfulfilled need or pray for a good thing that has not yet happened. If I am hoping that God will take care of it, then I’m not busily scheming or trying to change my circumstances. Instead, my heart is trusting the Lord to do whatever it is — no matter how long it takes. This also results in happiness, a sense of being blessed.

Both ‘ways to be happy’ are choices. I can find many other sources for help including my own ideas, the aid of others, books, and so on, and when I ask God for help He might send me to one of those sources, but more often than not, He sends solutions through the whispers of the Holy Spirit and the power of His Word.

I could hope in many other resources as well. If I find myself hoping this or that will happen, I’m hoping in my own ideas, not God. (He always surprises me.) If I’m relying on other people or other powers, then I am not hoping in God. Again, He can use other sources to fulfill my hopes, but none of them should be my first thought if I want to be happy and blessed.

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Lord Jesus, these are simple thoughts yet basic to life. Everyone wants to be happy and blessed knowing You and Your grace. Whenever I cannot feel or see solutions, the enemy dangles something else in front of me with the idea that if I have whatever he suggests, I will be happy and blessed. This is not true. Protect me from the evil one and his lies by always reminding me that You are my hope and I’m always secure in trusting You.

Happy or joyful?

Is it possible to count the number of self-help books written on how to be happy? Is there anyone in the whole world that does not want to be happy? Some people think that being rich will do it, or perfect health, or a big house or car, or having their debts paid, and while those and other acquisitions might do it for a time, none of them will give deep and lasting joy.

What is the difference? Joy as described in Scripture is a full understanding and acceptance of God’s power and wisdom so that nothing and no one is a threat. Joy is a peace that passes understanding, a sense of well-being based on knowing I am totally loved and totally cared for. Yet that said, joy is so complete that I scarcely think about myself at all. It is having no cares or concerns — obviously it is difficult to describe.

Jesus promises me that amazing joy. Yet careful reading of the context shows there is a caveat . . .

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:7–11)

Joy is not about what I have or don’t have in this life. It has almost nothing to do with this world. Joy is being in the will of God through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Abiding in Christ is something like being in love. And when I am responding to Him as the One who loves me totally and unconditionally, I can ask and receive whatever I wish.

Of course, loving Jesus changes my wishes. I’m not very interested in cars and clothes or any other stuff. I want what He wants. While He meets my needs (like food, clothes and other with material possessions), He gives me the desires of His heart, like justice done in a terribly unjust world, humility, a willingness to serve others. He wants me to be like Him, and I want the same thing so I can bring His joy to the people around me.

Joy is being set free from the cares of this world. As Chambers says, I don’t have to “think out my circumstances” or be concerned about anything. He adds, “Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water . . . live the life hid with Christ  . . . . (it) is as natural as breathing . . . .”

God has shown me that continual self-examination is a joy-killer. I can always find something in me to regret or be sad about. Focusing on my flaws kills that spontaneous, childlike delight of just being who I am and trusting my Father to make of me what He wants me to be.

“Though I have not seen him, I love him. Though I do not now see him, I believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” (1 Peter 1:8 personalized)

Happy is okay, but I’m going for the joy.