It is amazing how easily we dismiss this command as though it is impossible. Everyone is concerned about happiness, but few ever take any steps to secure it. What about you? Have you ever spent a morning examining all that the Bible has to say about happiness, gladness, joy, and rejoicing? You will be amazed by the large number of verses pertaining to the subject. Not only will you be impressed by the number of references to it, you will be enlightened as to what all is said about it. You will learn about the importance of it, the benefits from it, the cause for it, and the hindrances to it.
Sadly many try to excuse themselves for being unhappy. They are quick to give you a list of reasons as to why they are miserable. Rather than looking for for reasons to rejoice they are intent on finding excuses to justify their unhappiness. In doing this they convince themselves that, considering the circumstances, it is impossible to be truly happy. They think of it as mere wishful thinking, rather than a glorious possibility. They are like the fellow who said he was planning for a nervous breakdown because he deserved it. We seem to have forgotten that we are to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. If heaven is a place of perpetual joy, should that not be what God desires for us while we’re here on earth?
I’m not writing this to tell you what the Bible says about this, but to tell you that the Bible tells you about it. And since what the Bible says is more important than what I say about the Bible, I encourage you to go directly to God’s Word and see for yourself what it says. If happiness is as important as you say it is, surely it would be time well spent if you set aside some time discovering what God says about it. I can give you no better advice than this—search the Scriptures! It will change your life! Start today. Put-off whatever you planned for the day and spend a few hours considering what God says about the nature of joy and the need to rejoice. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day.
