Happiness, how can I be happy?

How To Find True Happiness.

   One of the first things we need to acknowledge in order to find true happiness is that man does not have the ability to provide true happiness without God. Satan convinced man that God did not have our interest at heart and that he was hiding things from us. (Genesis 3:1-5) .

   We have had thousands of years to pursue happiness on our own and it is obvious that we are failing miserably and it is only getting worse.  We have had many forms of governments, different forms of entertainment, pursuit of wealth and popularity. Watching the news makes it obvious that none of these provide a lasting form of happiness. All we manage to do is plague ourselves with wars, diseases, oppression, violence, and an almost total lack of love.

   In Jesus sermon on the mount he told some ways to find true happiness. What we need to keep in mind is that God is eternal and that there is no one wiser then him. Look at the creation around us. Man could not begin to create things as complex as Jehovah God has.  So he would know what we need to have lasting happiness.  (1 Timothy 6:6-11)(Acts 17:24-27)

Sermon On The Mount

   In Jesus sermon on the mount he stated some things that will give lasting happiness.  By studying them we can get started on a path that leads us to a lasting and true happiness.

In Matthew 5:3 Jesus states “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them” .  We need to ask ourselves how can I become aware of my spiritual needs?

   Most people know that God is the life giver so without him we are nothing.  Since we do not know God the bible tells us we need to search for him. (Psalm 119:1-2)  If we do not know him how can we trust him and put faith in him?

   The bible tells us God is the happy God, so who better to teach us to be happy then our creator who created our minds and bodies so he would know better then anyone what it takes to make us happy.  It has become obvious that we do not have what it takes to take care of ourselves.  Jeremiah 10:23  states “ I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step”   as time goes on this becomes more and more evident. Seeking knowledge of things of the world usually brings a lot stress and problems,  but God promises that he adds no pain to taking in knowledge of him (Proverbs 10:22) . He also promises that eventually those who put their faith in him and took in knowledge of him and became obedient would not suffer anymore.  (Revelation 21:1-4) In order to enjoy the benefits and be happy even in these difficult times we need to take in knowledge of the source of true happiness. How can we have hope of a better future if we do not know the one who provides that hope?

  Happy Are Those Who Mourn.

   Matthew 5:4 says “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted”  . How can you be happy if you are mourning? What are you mourning for?   2 Corinthians 12:21  gives an idea of what the mourning would be for. It tells us that the way of Jehovah would be twisted and people would forget the way.

   The happiness comes from the knowledge that all has not been lost and that true worship would be restored thus getting rid of all the confusion and oppression. (Micah 4:1-4)

Happy Are The Mild Tempered.

   Matthew 5:5 says “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth”
Most people view being mild tempered as being weak. This is not the case it actually takes a lot of inner strength to be mild tempered. Anyone can easily fly off the figurative handle but how many people can be patient and rationalize things and deal with them with a mild temper. This takes a lot of inner strength and wisdom. This wisdom comes from God which in turn gives us inner strength. Knowing God’s laws helps us to know when to let our yes mean yes and our no mean no. There is no authority or person wiser then God, or with the power to back their promises. Knowing how we should deal with different situations helps make decisions easier, we also have the comfort of knowing if we are doing things in a way that pleases Jehovah God then we have his backing. (Matthew 5:33-37)   Mildness is also one of the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22,23)

  This scripture also lets us know that the mild tempered ones will inherit the earth. Wouldn’t it be nice to live on an earth with no more fighting and arguing? (Psalm 37:11)

 Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness.

   Matthew 5:6 says “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled”

   To develop a hunger and thirst for righteousness we have to take in a regular diet of spiritual food. We need to attend meetings, do regular bible studies. We cannot be a sluggard as mentioned in the bible. (Proverbs 26:13-15)  Do we make excuses saying something is in our way or do we find a way to deal with the obstacles Satan puts in front of us so that we can keep that thirst for righteousness? We can have confidence that if we put our concerns on Jehovah through prayer he will hear them and help us with those obstacles. (Isaiah 57:14,15)

Happy Are The Merciful.

  Matthew 5:7 tells us “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy”  .   Most of us have experienced the relief of someone showing us mercy when we have messed up and know how it feels when someone has cut us a break and we know that we deserved to be treated more severely. We have also experienced the appreciation of someone who was truly sorry and we have shown them mercy and how happy it made them. We can be happy knowing that our heavenly father will show us mercy when we show others mercy.  (Matthew 9:10-13)

Happy Are The Pure In Heart

  Matthew 5:8 “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God”  .  When we read this scripture we may say but we cannot see God because no man can see God. (1 Timothy 6:16)

   There are many ways to know God is there and to see that he exist. Just like we know air exist by the effects it has or ultra violet rays especially if we are out in the sun too long. We definitely feel the effects of getting sun burnt. God’s qualities are invisible also so how can we see them? If we look at the creation around us and the complexity and glory of it all we can see how amazing he is. Man has been studying Gods creation for years and we barely have an understanding of the basics like our food let alone something as complex as the ocean or the universe. (Romans 1:20)  Yet we learn that all the billions of stars God has a name for them.( Isaiah 40:26)

 Jesus was a perfect reflection of God. He displayed the qualities that he learned from his father so well that it was like God was with us. If we learn about Jesus and the things he did, how he felt  and reacted we can see the qualities of his father. (John 14:9-11)

   As we develop our faith and it becomes stronger his qualities will become more evident and we will have no doubt about him being there for us. (Hebrews 11:27)

Happy Are The Peacemakers.

   Matthew 5:9 “Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God.”

  We are living in the last days, we have many things to deal with. Satan has been thrown out of Heaven he knows he doesn’t have much time. There is a lot of immorality it can be difficult to be peaceable with all this going on but we need to set the example for others and not let Satan and his people mold us into what they are or what he wants us to become. (Revelation 12:7-9,12)(2 Timothy 3:1-7)

   With all that there is to deal with it is easy to become angry, but usually when we do it just results in others becoming angry then a whole circle of hate develops.  Wouldn’t it be wiser to not get caught up in all the strife then to take offence easily? (Proverbs 14:29)   When we become wrathful without thinking about the situation more and how to keep peace we usually make bad decisions that can effect others in a bad way.  James 1:19,20 states “ 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness.”  We can not read the person heart like God can, we do not know what the person has been through. God freely forgives us so shouldn’t we follow his example? (Ephesians 4:7)

  We are to return evil for evil to no one, vengeance belongs to God. If our enemy is hungry we are to feed them. If our enemy is thirsty give them a drink. In doing so we conquer the evil with the good. (Romans 12:17-21) Jesus tells us to love our enemies. (Matthew 5:43-46) In following Jesus example we help develop one of the most important qualities to help us to be happy and that is Love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Happy When Persecuted.

   Matthew 5:10-12 tells us “10 Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,  since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 11 “Happy are you when people reproach you  and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed  since your reward  is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you. “

   Jesus tells us that we will be persecuted when we worship in truth. People will lie about you and say wicked things about you. If you are being persecuted for righteous reasons and you endure then you are storing up treasures in heaven. We know that all this is temporary and this system is going to be done away with so all the wealth and material things will not bring us salvation. If we are being persecuted for righteous reasons then we should hold our heads up high because we have been found worthy. (Acts 5:40-42) .

   We have to remember how the apostles were treated and how they lived. They did not pursue wealth on earth. They were looked down on by most people to the point of being as refuse of the earth. They still answered mildly. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)  We need not be afraid when we are being persecuted, because if we are being persecuted it means that Gods spirit is resting upon you. (1Peter 4:12-14)

   Our faith needs to be tested which is what God does. We are tried by Satan.  When God test you he makes sure you are prepared to pass that test. Satan tries you and hopes you fail the trial. (1 Peter 1:6,7)

   If God’s own son Jesus was tested and tried we can expect the same. He remained without sin so we know at the right time he will help us. (Hebrews 4:15,16) He had endured what we have to so he understands what we are going through.

   We have the knowledge that those who don’t repent and continue to persecute you will eventually be humiliated by God. (Jeremiah 20:11) If we endure even in the face of death we know God will remember us in the resurrection. (Acts 24:15)

If you want to learn more go to http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e and search for true happiness or real happiness.