Happiness: A Daily Choice and Faithful Journey
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of happiness and how it is fundamentally a choice we make every day. Drawing from Joel Osteen's book "Your Best Life Right Now," we delved into the idea that happiness is not dictated by our circumstances but by our disposition and attitude. Historical figures like Aristotle, Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and even Groucho Marx have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that happiness is a personal decision.
We discussed how happiness requires a change in attitude and a set of beliefs that align with the idea that God wants us to be happy. However, life is filled with challenges that can rob us of our joy. I shared a personal story about a trip to Disney World with my children, illustrating how external circumstances can affect our happiness but also how we can learn valuable lessons from these experiences.
The Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances, as seen in passages like "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Jesus also taught us to be glad even in times of persecution. Our church's vision statement—love God, love others, and love life—aligns with this teaching, emphasizing that God wants us to be joy-filled.
We also touched on the importance of faith in maintaining happiness. Like a weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down, our faith acts as a stabilizing force that helps us bounce back from life's challenges. The Apostle Paul exemplified this by learning to be content in all situations through his faith in Christ.
Finally, we revisited the four steps to happiness discussed in this sermon series: having the right attitude, the right beliefs, good preparation, and choosing to be happy. Coach Krzyzewski's principles for a winning team—attitude, belief, preparation, and execution—parallel these steps, reinforcing the idea that happiness is a deliberate and actionable choice.
### Key Takeaways
1. Happiness is a Choice: Happiness is not determined by our external circumstances but by our internal disposition. Historical figures and philosophers have long recognized that we have the power to choose happiness each day. This choice requires a shift in attitude and a set of beliefs that align with the idea that God wants us to be happy. [03:54]
2. Faith as a Stabilizing Force: Our faith acts as a stabilizing force that helps us bounce back from life's challenges. Like a weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down, our faith keeps us grounded and resilient. The Apostle Paul learned to be content in all situations through his faith in Christ, exemplifying how faith can sustain our happiness. [11:24]
3. Biblical Encouragement for Joy: The Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances. Passages like "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" remind us to find joy in the present moment. Jesus also taught us to be glad even in times of persecution, emphasizing that our faith in God should be a source of constant joy. [08:44]
4. Overcoming Challenges to Happiness: Life is filled with challenges that can rob us of our joy, but our faith in God helps us overcome these obstacles. By focusing on our relationship with God and maintaining a positive attitude, we can navigate through tough times with a sense of peace and happiness. [10:48]
5. Steps to Happiness: Achieving happiness involves more than just making a choice; it requires action. The four steps to happiness are having the right attitude, the right beliefs, good preparation, and choosing to be happy. These steps align with principles for success in other areas of life, reinforcing that happiness is a deliberate and actionable choice. [14:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Opening Joke and Prayer
[02:09] - Introduction to Happiness
[03:09] - Happiness as a Choice
[05:03] - The Gift of Today
[05:53] - Challenges to Happiness
[06:52] - Personal Story: Disney World
[07:44] - Pain and Unhappiness
[08:44] - Biblical Encouragement for Joy
[09:41] - Church Vision Statement
[10:48] - Faith as a Stabilizing Force
[11:24] - Weebles and Faith
[12:18] - Happiness in Tough Times
[13:30] - Steps to Happiness
[14:26] - Coach Krzyzewski's Principles
[17:05] - Personal Story: Turning Garbage into Sweetness
[18:02] - Reaping What We Sow
[18:58] - Encouragement to Seek Happiness
[19:38] - Homework Assignment
[20:33] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 118:24 (NIV) - "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
2. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) - "I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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."
3. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) - "Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 118:24, what is the attitude we are encouraged to have each day?
2. In Philippians 4:11-13, what does Paul say he has learned to be in all situations? How does he achieve this?
3. What does Nehemiah 8:10 suggest is the source of our strength? How does this relate to the concept of happiness discussed in the sermon?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea that "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24) challenge our natural reactions to difficult circumstances? [08:44]
2. Paul mentions that he has learned to be content in all situations through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:11-13). How can this perspective help us maintain happiness despite external challenges? [10:48]
3. Nehemiah 8:10 states, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." How can this understanding of joy as a source of strength influence our daily lives and attitudes towards happiness? [19:38]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt unhappy. How might choosing to rejoice in the day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24) have changed your perspective? [08:44]
2. Paul learned to be content in all situations through his faith in Christ (Philippians 4:11-13). What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and find contentment in your current circumstances? [10:48]
3. The sermon mentioned that happiness is a choice that requires the right attitude and beliefs. What specific attitudes or beliefs do you need to adjust to align more closely with the idea that God wants you to be happy? [05:53]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about a trip to Disney World and how external circumstances affected his happiness. Can you think of a time when external factors influenced your happiness? How can you apply the lesson of choosing happiness despite circumstances? [06:52]
5. The Bible encourages us to be joyful even in times of persecution (Matthew 5:12). How can you find joy in your faith during challenging times? What role does your faith community play in supporting this joy? [08:44]
6. Coach Krzyzewski's principles for a winning team include attitude, belief, preparation, and execution. How can you apply these principles to your pursuit of happiness? What specific actions will you take this week to choose happiness? [14:26]
7. The sermon concluded with a homework assignment to repeat the prayer, "The joy of the Lord is my strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). How can incorporating this prayer into your daily routine help you maintain a joyful and happy disposition? [19:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Happiness is a Choice
Happiness is not determined by our external circumstances but by our internal disposition. Historical figures and philosophers have long recognized that we have the power to choose happiness each day. This choice requires a shift in attitude and a set of beliefs that align with the idea that God wants us to be happy. The Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances, as seen in passages like "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Jesus also taught us to be glad even in times of persecution. Our church's vision statement—love God, love others, and love life—aligns with this teaching, emphasizing that God wants us to be joy-filled. [03:54]
Psalm 118:24 (ESV): "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Reflection: Think about a situation today where you can choose happiness despite the circumstances. How can you shift your attitude to align with the belief that God wants you to be happy?
Day 2: Faith as a Stabilizing Force
Our faith acts as a stabilizing force that helps us bounce back from life's challenges. Like a weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down, our faith keeps us grounded and resilient. The Apostle Paul learned to be content in all situations through his faith in Christ, exemplifying how faith can sustain our happiness. When we face difficulties, our faith in God provides the strength and stability we need to navigate through tough times. This resilience is not about ignoring our problems but about trusting that God is with us and will help us overcome them. [11:24]
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV): "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith help you navigate through it? How can you strengthen your faith to be more resilient in future challenges?
Day 3: Biblical Encouragement for Joy
The Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances. Passages like "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" remind us to find joy in the present moment. Jesus also taught us to be glad even in times of persecution, emphasizing that our faith in God should be a source of constant joy. This joy is not dependent on our external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. By focusing on God's promises and His presence in our lives, we can experience a deep and abiding joy that transcends our situations. [08:44]
James 1:2-3 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
Reflection: How can you find joy in your current circumstances, even if they are challenging? What promises of God can you focus on to cultivate a sense of joy today?
Day 4: Overcoming Challenges to Happiness
Life is filled with challenges that can rob us of our joy, but our faith in God helps us overcome these obstacles. By focusing on our relationship with God and maintaining a positive attitude, we can navigate through tough times with a sense of peace and happiness. The Bible encourages us to be joyful in all circumstances, and our faith acts as a stabilizing force that helps us bounce back from life's challenges. Like a weeble that wobbles but doesn't fall down, our faith keeps us grounded and resilient. [10:48]
Romans 5:3-4 (ESV): "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."
Reflection: Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on your faith in God to help you overcome this obstacle and maintain your joy?
Day 5: Steps to Happiness
Achieving happiness involves more than just making a choice; it requires action. The four steps to happiness are having the right attitude, the right beliefs, good preparation, and choosing to be happy. These steps align with principles for success in other areas of life, reinforcing that happiness is a deliberate and actionable choice. By intentionally cultivating a positive attitude, aligning our beliefs with God's promises, preparing ourselves for life's challenges, and making a daily choice to be happy, we can experience a fulfilling and joy-filled life. [14:26]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to cultivate happiness in your life? How can you align your attitude, beliefs, and actions with God's will to experience true joy?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Happiness is a choice, but it's a choice that requires us to have a change of attitude and to accept a certain set of beliefs. We have to believe that we should be happy, that it's good for us to be happy, maybe even that God wants us to be happy." [05:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Bible wants us to be happy every day. There's an old passage I'm sure many of you, probably all of you, have heard this. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Yeah. It doesn't say tomorrow we'll rejoice or next week when things get better. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." [08:44] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God wants us to do those three things, to love God, to love others, and to love life. And loving life is about happiness. It's about joy. God wants us to be joy-filled. The Bible is very, very clear. That God wants us to be joy-filled." [09:41] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So even though it might seem illogical to be happy when we're going through tough times or when we're sad, that's actually the most logical thing because when you're happy, the tough times aren't as tough. And when you're happy, you are inoculated to some extent against the bad things that happen." [12:18] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Seek happiness every day. Because if that's what you sow, you'll reap a great blessing. And that is the blessing of happiness that comes in the knowledge that you are a child of God. Loved by God. Have a purpose that you're serving in God. And that you're walking on his path day by day." [18:58] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "One of the things I've learned is that there's really truth to the old saying. You may have heard this before. Some people wake up in the morning, and they say, Good morning. Good morning, God. And other people wake up in the morning, and they say, Good God, it's morning. the truth is that it is a decision that we make each day if we're going to be happy or not. We choose to a large extent." [03:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you have faith in God, it centers you and it enables you to bounce back when the tough times happen. And I'll give you a good example. On Friday night I was talking to my wife Anna about this, and she said, you know, right now I feel like a weeble. Many of you probably know what weebles are, if you haven't had kids or grandkids lately. Weebles wobble. And don't down. There you go. But they don't fall down, yeah." [10:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Now, happiness is a choice. But it requires more than just making that choice. It requires that we have the right attitude. That we have the right beliefs. That we use that right preparation. And then that we go for it and choose to be happy." [18:02] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Instead of trying to force yourself back up when you get knocked down, let your faith in God pull you up. God has made a way to help us to get through every circumstance by just keeping our faith in God and allowing that faith to be what pulls us back up again." [13:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The third one Krzyzewski said is preparation. Good preparation. How do we prepare ourselves to walk on the path of happiness in life? Well, the third sermon, let go of the past. Don't focus on the past. Don't focus on the future. Be in the present. Allow God to be with you in the present." [16:12] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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