by Ed Ostrom

Created on: July 30, 2009   Last Updated: August 01, 2009

We live in a world that spends a lot of money and time on the pursuit of happiness. Most people long to know the elusive experience of being happy. Happiness is really the idea of joy that comes from without an individual. Happiness is dependant upon the circumstances of daily living. It is really happenstance. Back in the late 1980's Bobby McFerrin wrote a song called DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY! It became the mantra for a humanistic, pleasure seeking generation that felt life was only about being happy. If I thought something would make me happy I would do all I could in my power to secure the happiness I longed for. But twenty years after the releasing of McFerrin's song is the world any happier? Are people more fulfilled today than they were in 1989?

I believe that Jesus Christ is not so concerned with us being happy as He is with us knowing the indwelling joy of His presence and purpose in our lives. The Apostle Paul challenges all Christ Followers Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) The Lord desires that we rejoice in Him. The footnote for Philippians 4:4 in my Spirit Life Bible says Christians are commanded to rejoice under all circumstances and obedience is possible because true joy is in the Lord. Therefore Christians can be inwardly joyful when everything around is dreary.

Philippians 4:12 -13 says I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Habakkuk 3: 17- 19 says Though the fig tree may not blossoms nor the fruit be upon the vines, though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold and there be no heard in the stalls yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like deer's feet and He will make me walk on my high hills.

2 Corinthians 6:10 declares As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

In Psalm 126: 1- 6 we read When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and on tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad. Bring back our captivity O Lord as the streams

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