Do you want to be happy?
Don’t we all? In the most famous sermon that Jesus preached, the Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5-7), Jesus shared 8 things that are true about people who are “blessed”, or “divinely happy”. Check them out…you’ll be happy you did! :)
Happy people…
- Embrace daily dependence on God for everything…every day, regardless if they have a little, a lot, or somewhere in between.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
- Face their pain head on by turning to God in the midst of it…because they know He is ultimately the only one who can comfort them.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
- Choose humility by not thinking of themselves more highly than they ought…because they recognize that meekness is not weakness, rather that it paves the way to happiness.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
- Hunger and thirst to know what is right and are committed to doing that…because at the end of the day, those who have committed to do what is right will be happy.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
- Are relationally generous…by giving others what they do not deserve. That’s what mercy is.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
- Pursue purity…because they want to see the activity of God in their lives.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
- Are peacemakers…they walk into their relationships that are broken and breaking and reconcile them.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
- Are committed to doing what is right at all costs…they maintain peace with God and themselves because they are committed to doing what is right even when it costs themeverything.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
Do you want to live a happy life?
Remember… happiness is an outcome. Happiness is a result. You sow and you reap your way to happiness.
So, what are you choosing? Are you sowing your way to unhappiness or happiness?