Have you ever held a pity party for yourself? It’s very easy to throw one. All you gotta do is just think of a list of everything negative in your life and think about it over and over and over until you feel sorry for yourself. I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of what I call “common killjoys” in your life, things that want to rob you of your happiness and joy. But there’s a better alternative to hosting ever so frequent pity parties for yourself. You can be happy. In this blog, afternoon host Jeff Loman shares how you can choose to be happy with examples from God’s word.
BE HAPPY BY BEING CONTENT
I’m so motivated by this guy, Paul, who wrote the book of Philippians. If there was ever anybody at all that had a reason to be unhappy, bitter, resentful and fearful, it would be our friend, Paul. He was imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked and left for dead. And yet he writes what I think is one of the most positive books in the Bible.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! … I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
That’s amazing to me. I love how Paul talks about his life of happiness, rejoicing and contentment, even though he’s writing this entire letter of Philippians from a prison cell. Would you be that content?
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BE HAPPY BY PRAISING GOD
I remember David in Psalm 34, essentially saying “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.” The historic king of Israel experienced war, death threats, a tumultuous personal life, and the passing of people he loved. Yet this was his declaration many times throughout the Psalms:
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
Despite the challenges he faced every day, he chose to be happy by praising the One who watched over him through it all. He shifted his focus from the problems surrounding him to the One who would hold his hand even in the toughest of times. Do you praise Him even when it’s difficult?
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MAKE THE CHOICE
When you and I go through life day to day, it’s almost always a personal decision to be happy. You can’t blame other people for your unhappiness. Regardless if there are outside influences or inside influences, whether there is pain, pressure, people, problems, you are as happy as you choose to be.
So be content. Praise the Lord. Then you’ll find happiness.
What other encouragement from God’s word helps you find happiness? Tell us in the comments!
1 thought on “How to Be Happy When You Want to Have a Pity Party”
Every moment with the lord Jesus, weather publicly or in a silent place, should be time to focus on who you/we are in him and what you/we can focus on to do for others during the constant commited time of worship. Thank you father for every holy moment that i am able to spend with you, in Jesus name. Amen!