The Secret To Happiness

I was sick yesterday.  I really don't like being sick at all.  Had to lie down for half the day.  Canceled almost every meeting.  Blech. 

In fact, to be honest, I don't like set backs of any kind.  I like things to roll the way I have had them planned out in my mind.  Can you relate? And in many ways, that just reflects what contemporary pop-Christianity has been reduced to: worshiping a Drive-Thru God. I'll have a little happiness, some affluence, solid health, comfort and a bit of extra leisure thrown in, Jesus.  Make that to go.

While I have been incredibly blessed and in no way want to complain, the truth is that the last three years of my life have brought more tough circumstances and personal challenges than I have ever faced before.  And while some of them have clearly turned out to be blessings, there's a bunch of them I'd rewrite given the opportunity.  I think that's what a lot of us face in life: things just don't go the way they are planned, and often, they are hard to get through.

I was reminded this morning again what the Bible says about tough circumstances and about what this life and our faith is actually all about.

James, Jesus' (half) brother, freaks my beak when he writes:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

In case we might be tempted to think James was crazy (I mean, read what he says), Peter actually agrees with him and so does Jesus.  For a fourth opinion, check out Paul's secret to happiness.

I just shoot this out today because I think many of us are wondering why the circumstances in our lives don't always roll our way when we believe in Jesus.  I guess we shouldn't be surprised at all.  We should rejoice.

How easy is that for you?  What challenges you about these passages?

Comments

[Dave Owen]

I definitely agree with the fact that we must go thru our adversity.

Our joy comes from inside us and has no connection to the outside.

True, the problems of life can create some short term sadness or elation. But the core attitude is our choice.

By living a life of humility and gratitude, I have a great life.

Life is as good as I allow it to be.