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| Volume 24 Number 9 September 2022 |
Page 15 |
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| Volume 24 Number 9 September 2022 |
Page 15 |
Pedapaga Akash Babu
What is the toughest question you’ve ever been asked? What is the rhetorical question that everyone in the world nowadays is asking? Many millionaires and billionaires around the world are in a quest to find the answer for the rhetorical question, which the whole world is asking. Many great people, including philosophers, have sacrificed their lives to find the answer to this question. So, without further suspense, let me bring that question to you – “How can we be Happy?” Many people have family, love, money and everything they wish. Yet, sadly, the only things they can’t find are happiness and contentment. Many people, especially young people, have not found happiness. As a result, some of them resort to suicide, drug addiction, game addiction, etc. There are many reasons for depression. Rejection and stress are two main reasons for depression. These days, many people move away to the mountains or to the seashore in their quest to find peace in their lives.
Let me elaborate with a real story of a man who lived in London between 1771-1837. He was depressed, and hence, he went to a doctor for advice. The doctor suggested that he go to a show by a very popular clown named Joseph Grimaldi. The doctor said that Mr. Grimaldi was capable of even making the stones laugh. Then the man said, “I am that Grimaldi!” Even the people who make others happy find themselves depressed, too. Some time ago, I read an article about the suicide of a motivational speaker who had motivated more than 3,000 people to achieve their dreams. Even motivators need motivation.
Look at a man from the Bible, the second richest king who ever lived on the planet with a net worth of $2 trillion dollars (USD). He had an income of 25 tons of gold every year (2 Chronicles 9:13-29), He was the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:29), a great writer (1 Kings 4:32) and a man with a thousand wives (1 Kings 11:3). Even after having great luxuries, many riches and a giant family, Solomon wrote, “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). [While not able to confirm the precise wealth of Solomon, he was the wealthiest man of his time and perhaps who ever lived. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
The answer to the question of how to be happy is “Jesus.” The only way one can find happiness – not only for a lifetime on the earth but also for eternity – is Jesus Christ. One cannot be happy without having Christ in his life. Men have been trying to find happiness in the physical realm. Yet, the happiness we may find on Earth doesn’t last forever, but the happiness we need to seek lasts for eternity.
The Bible Tells Us to Be Happy.
We must rejoice as our names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). One’s name is written in Heaven only after being baptized. Acts 8:39 says the eunuch went on his way rejoicing after he was baptized. Acts 16:34 talks about the jailor and his family who rejoiced with all his house after they were baptized. So, are you baptized? Rejoice! Your name is written in the book of eternal life! Galatians 5:22 says that happiness or joy is one among the nine qualities of the fruit of Spirit. In Acts 11:23, Barnabas exhorted the church to cleave to the Lord. We find happiness when we hug the Lord. I always felt safe when I was wrapped around by the arms of my parents. Hugging also releases oxytocin, which is a stress relieving hormone in the human body. Our Lord is spirit. Hence our physical bodies can’t touch Him, but we hug the Lord when we give first priority to Him in our lives. We hug the Lord when we put him first in everything. Also, we must note that hugging the Lord is neither advice nor a request. It is an order! Put God first in everything and you will find happiness in your life for sure (Matthew 6:33)!
Great Men of the Bible Rejoiced
in
the Lord, Irrespective of the Situation.
You might have a question. “I have been facing many rejections, teasing and bullies. How can I be happy in all circumstances?” Let me show you two men who rejoiced while bearing shame for the Lord’s name (Acts 5:41). Even after being severely beaten and being thrown into prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God (Acts 16:23-25). We generally sing when we are happy. Paul and Silas were happy for being in prison for no reason except the Gospel. Also note that the time at which Paul and Silas were rejoicing was midnight! Do little irritations from your family disturb your happiness? Do rejections in your life unseat your joy? Neither irritations nor rejection in our lives are bigger than the troubles and rejections that the apostle Paul faced.
Many people think that having money can buy happiness. Money can buy many things but not all things. The Bible teaches us to believe in the Lord, rather than in unstable and temporary wealth (1 Timothy 6:17). First Peter 4:12-13 tells us to rejoice even when we take part in Christ’s sufferings.
Why Should I Rejoice in the Lord?
Philippians 4:4 reads, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (NKJV). Verse 5 says, “…Lord is at hand.” Wow, what a convenient God we have! We need not go to Jerusalem, we need not climb a hill or go to a valley to find our Lord. He is at hand! So, rejoice! Acts 14:17 says that He is the only one who fills our hearts with joy. He defends us and He protects us (Psalm 5:11). So, rejoice in the Lord.
The happiness or joy in the Lord lasts forever. It is an eternal happiness. All the pleasures of this world are something that last for a period (Hebrews 11:24), and they will come to an end (1 Corinthians 7:31). There is a day coming in which the whole world, along with tears and depression, will be destroyed. Then, there shall be no more death and no more tears (Revelation 21:4). Those who are victorious in the battle with worldly pleasures shall reign forever with the Lord (Revelation 22:5).
Let me conclude with some important questions. Are you baptized? Do you have Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you put God first in everything you do? Do you seek heavenly things? If the answer for the above questions is “Yes,” then, you shall reign with the Lord. Congratulations! You are a victorious Christian! If the answer is, “No,” to any one of the questions, I once again urge you to think of Christ. Our lives are unpredictable. One’s life is like a vapor that appears and vanishes in no time. So, please come to Christ, accept Him as your savior by obeying His command to believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16). Put God first in everything you do, and you will find the happiness that lasts forever.
[Editor’s Note: Ten years ago, as a sixth-grader, brother Babu was a speaker, as was I, on a program in India addressing 100 Gospel preachers. Despite barely a teenager then, he presented one of the best, most enthusiastic, relevant and useful sermons that I’ve ever heard anywhere at any time. He spoke in perfect English while another brother translated his sermon into Telugu. Now, he is a graduate from schooling with an engineering degree. It seems that our young brother in Christ is following in the faithful steps of his father and mother, his father being a schoolteacher and Gospel preacher – also worthy of commendation for his energy and efficiency for our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
