Pastor Paul's May Message
Dear Members & Friends,
On Sunday, April 27th the theme of my sermon was "happiness." I shared some of the insights I received when reading the book Happiness Is? by A.R. Bernard. It was disturbing to hear that in a survey in both 1956 and 2006 only 30% of Americans stated they were happy. 50 years and the average income of Americans tripling didn't have an impact on our happiness. Why aren't more of us happy?
In his book, A.R. Bernard basically describes happiness as a choice.
Happiness is a result of the way we choose to interpret the events of our life. It is not the result of only good things happening to us. It is not the result of increased finances, success in the work place or worldly pleasures. Happiness is something we experience because of the way we interpret and respond to the world around us.
On Sunday I shared the following 3 insights:
- Happiness is obeying God's commandments
- Happiness is having God's Spirit within us
- Happiness is loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
I want to continue by sharing a few more insights into happiness. There were a few chapters which contained information that I really want to share. During my years of ministry I have found certain thoughts and feelings to be extremely detrimental to a life of happiness. Some people are overwhelmed by some of these thoughts and feelings. We need to listen to Pastor Bernard's advice.
Happiness is learning to accept the past. You will never find lasting happiness unless you learn to make peace with the past. You will never be content until you can look back upon your own experiences, both your victories and disappointments, with a sense of acceptance and thanksgiving. Too many people live with so much baggage from the past. So many regrets and so much negative emotion seem to be bottled up inside. We need to be able to move on. By accepting what has been and by trusting God for what will be, we free ourselves up to experience happiness.
Happiness is learning to forgive others. It's a fact. If you can't forgive, you're not free and you're not happy. If you are mired in the quicksand of bitterness toward someone you are not only disobeying God's word, you are also wasting your time. If there exists even one person, alive or dead, against whom you hold bitter feelings, it is time to forgive. The other person is not experiencing the loss of time. You are. Time is so precious and wasting it on negative energy and an unforgiving spirit is only hurting you.
Happiness is learning to control negative emotions. Happiness is freedom from all those negative emotions such as worry, envy, greed, resentment, prejudice, hatred and discouragement. This list could be much longer, but you get the point. Some people are just gloomy about everything. Life is too short! Worry less. Be happy for other people's successes. Love all people. Overcome challenges and set backs. See the glass half full. God wants positive people and negative emotions extinguish the spirit of happiness.
Happiness is genuine enthusiasm for life. The more enthusiastic you are about life the happier you will be. If your zest for life has waned, it is now time to recharge your spiritual batteries. Genuine, heartfelt, enthusiastic Christianity is contagious. Do you see each day as a glorious opportunity to serve God and to do his will? Are you excited about the possibilities for service that God has placed before you? If the answer is "Yes", you will be blessed ? and you will be happy. Jesus deserves your enthusiasm; the world deserves it; and you deserve the experience of sharing it.
Begin experiencing a happy life. Begin now!
In His Service,
Pastor Paul
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