Don’t Worry… Be Happy
Choose Your Yoke – Part XI
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-33 NLT
Key Verse: Matthew 6:27 NLT
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
The title for this devotional is “Don’t Worry… Be Happy”. This week’s subtitle reminds us that unless we actively choose our yoke, we will never be happy.
This life is full of sadness and difficult problems for us to deal with. How can anyone truly be happy in this life?
Some people are happy because they are ignorant of what they are lacking in this life. There are many people who say that they do not need to be “saved” from anything. They have enough money and are enjoying this life, at least for the time being. But they are ignorant of the fact that sin leads to death, and that they will face God’s judgement someday. So, until their minds are enlightened, they walk merrily along in this life.
Some people are happy because they were born with an optimistic personality. They have little trouble looking at what happens to them with an attitude that their glass is half full rather than half empty.
In one sense I envy these optimistic people. They easily manage life with a happy attitude. However, unless they seek Jesus, they face the same judgement from God as those that are ignorant.
Finally, some people are happy because they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. These people have put their faith in Jesus, and they walk in faith that He is working all things out for their good.
Certainly, all happy people have bad days when they do not feel so happy. But they describe themselves as happy most of the time.
Where do you fit in? The unfortunate part is the fact that some people who have asked Jesus into their lives have yet to trust Him for their problems. These born-again believers are not happy most of the time, because life deals out problems most of the time.
If you happen to fall into this category, you can choose to join the group of believers that have faith that their God is big enough to take care of them, even during problems and trials. You can say to yourself, when a problem comes upon you, “Okay God, I know you saw this coming before I did and already have the answer! Grant me strength and wisdom to handle this in faith”.
As I have mentioned several times, we are never happy about facing a problem. But we can be positive and happy that we know the great “Problem Solver” and He works on our behalf.
Join me in practicing this attitude, using words of faith, and soon we will all be part of the happy group!
Father, remind me of the truths about Your help and wisdom that You supply me when problems come. I trust You! In Jesus’s Name, amen.