Happiness Is The Lord

            Myth: God wants us to be happy (always)

God wants us to be happy. Agree or Disagree?

Romans 14:17

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Does this mean God always wants us to be happy?

            Reality: God desires our happiness, our faith, what’s best for us and His plan

Does God want us to be happy when we live unrighteously?

We discussed in the previous section how God disciplines us to get us on the right track.

Can we grow if we’re always happy?

Romans 5:3-5

3Not only so, but we^[a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Let’s see take a closer look at the process:

Suffering produces perseverance

Perseverance produces character

Character produces hope

Is there good grief?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

The Coming of the Lord

 13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Does this mean we shouldn’t grieve?

Philippians 4:4

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Can we be joyful in our sorrow?

Grandparents’ Memorial Service – tears, celebration, laughter – joy in their salvation

Shewsbury Assembly Of God Example – non believing father – hopeless, believing mother, - hope, joy in son’s salvation.

Joy does not equal happiness.

Our losses – tears, hope, love (Thomas’ call).

My grandmother when she was alive once said, “when we tell you we want you to be happy, we lie. We want you to be happy the way we want you to be happy.

There’s a slight parallel here. God never said that He wants to be happy no matter what but for us to say so indeed is a lie. He wants us to be happy the way He wants us to be happy – within the bounds of what He feels is best for us and according to His plan.

What can you tell someone says God wants us to always be happy?