“Active & Passive Happiness”
Q: Do you think that happiness is mainly “Active” or “Passive”?
Q: Do you think that happiness is primarily a decision or a result of circumstances?
If you think that happiness is mainly a result of circumstances,
do you think that it should be for Christians?
“Passive Happiness”
When happiness comes to you.
We love this.
It is easy.
“Active Happiness”
When we need to have a perspective or an attitude that “brings” or “creates” happiness for us since circumstances in our lives may not be happy ones.
We don’t love this.
It is not easy.
Q: What situations have you had to Actively work hard at finding some happiness?
American Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Many times when we make a DECISION to ACT happy, the feeling of happiness follows.
I will not let other people steal my joy.
I will not let situations that aren’t working out steal my joy.
I will…
See the good.
Look for the positive
Be grateful.
Enjoy this day the best I can.
I will choose to believe that God is up to something good.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
–Romans 8:28
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy SET BEFORE HIM he endured the cross, [“Active” Happiness/Joy] scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
-Hebrews 12:2
If we don’t decide how we will live today, circumstances will decide for us.
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
–Psalm 30:15
I know who is on the throne of my life.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
-Jeremiah 29:11-13
We too often seek “Good” when we should be seeking “God”
“Good” can be devoid of God.
But “God” can never be devoid of Good.
David’s Verse
“This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
-Psalm 118:24
Satan’s Emphasis on David’s Verse
(Note: This is not a real verse.)
“This [MESS] is what the Lord has made;
I can’t rejoice or be glad in it.”
-The Book of Satan 66:6
If we are going to be happy,
most times we are going to have to
“Be happy on purpose”.
Things that will not keep me down or steal my happiness:
People, Relationships, Health, Money, Disappointments, Exhaustion, Guilt, Shame, Suspicion, Anger, Frustration, Sadness, Low Self-Image, Embarrassment, Disgust, Fear, Caution, Rage, Shame, Overwhelmness, Confusion, Jealousy, Envy, Anxiety, etc.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
-1 Peter 5:7
The shortest verse in the Bible?
“Jesus wept.”
–John 11:35
or
“Rejoice always.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16
The shortest verse in the Bible!
“Rejoice always.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16
In the Greek, "Jesus wept" is 3 words, not 2.
Jesus cared for you on the cross to promise you presence with him in heaven one day forever.
And He cares for you in your every-day life as well. He will never leave you or forsake you… EVER.