The Blog

Recently I came across an article written by Steve Kux in which he writes about his observation of people who are happy. It made me think about how as Christians, if we are living a life worthy of Christ’s calling? Sometimes people can put on a smiling face but are not necessarily happy.

In the midst of all the daily chaos of life, it is easy to feel less grateful for the life we have. I want to refocus Kux’s article with a biblical aspect to share with you five things Christians should be doing to be joyful in faith.

1. Give

   Once you have enough money to satisfy your basic needs, there are only two ways money can help you. One is by improving your social standing and the other is to give it away.

   As contrary to natural thinking, hoarding money will not bring happiness. Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35) and God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). Jesus promises us that with the measure you use to give, it will be measured back to you even more. (Luke 6:38). Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mat 6:20-21) Just remember ‘whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully’ (2 Cor 9:6).

2. Avoid drama

   Do not get caught up in other people’s relationships or stress out about who said what to whom. Pay attention to your own life and let other people live theirs.

   Jesus reminds us that with the judgment you pronounce on others, you will be judged as well, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1). There is only one lawgiver and judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12) If then let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

   The Lord hates: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, a heart that devises wicked plans, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19) Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34:13). Avoid quarreling, be gentle, and do good to others as you would have them do to you (Titus 3:2; Luke 6:31). If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, deceives his heart. This person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

3. Be grateful

   Be grateful for the things you have. Don’t spend all your time wanting what other people possess or daydreaming about a better life. Instead, take a few moments each day to think about all the things that you have and make a point of being grateful for them.

   Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you (Colossians 3:17 , 1 Thessalonians 5:18). There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world (1 Tim 6:6-7).

   Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matt 6:31-33)

4. Look at the positive side

   When things get tough, dwelling on failures and imagining the worst case scenario are not good options.

   Have a spirit to rebound like a tree that is cut down. It will sprout again. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant (Job 14:7-9).

   Be sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).

   Rejoice in your sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-4). Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Give your burdens and your worries to the LORD, and he will take care of you because he cares about you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22). Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act (psalms 37:5).

5. Value your relationship

   Instead of relentlessly pursuing after material things or career by working long hours, focus more time on personal relationships. At the end of your life, you won’t remember a lot of the time you spent at work. Rather, you will cherish the times you shared with family and friends.

   Keep your life free from love of money, for it is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs (1 Timothy 6:9-10). The world offers a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions (1 John 2:16).

   Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes to value our relationship and reminds as that two are always better than one. Having a fellowship to assist each other by encouragement is always a blessing because if you fall down, another one will lift up his companion. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Likewise enjoy life with your spouse, the one whom you love, through all the vain days of life that God has given you because that is your reward in life (Ecclesiastes 9:9). Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you and enjoy the girl you married when you were young (Proverbs 5:18).