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Verse:Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. — Habakkuk 3:17,18, KJV
We all have opportunities every day to get upset and to go around frustrated . I used to get stressed and think , I would be happy if my spouse was never rude and always treated me better . I would be happy if I got a promotion . I would be happy if my child behaved well . Every day I came across circumstances that were stealing my joy . And this stress caused me to be irritable , short - tempered , and sleepless . I forgot how to smile , until one day I read Philippians 4 : 6 . It states , “ Do not be anxious about anything , but in every situation , by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving , present your requests to God ” ( NIV ) . It was then that I realized that I shouldn’t let others influence my happiness . I must have a childlike trust in the Father for my everyday needs . He will lead me through every difficult circumstance . I need to keep my spirit filled with heavenly joy . “ Happy is that people . . . whose God is the LORD ” ( Psalm 144 : 15 , KJV ) . So that is the secret to ultimate happiness .
Joy is something that comes out from the inside and affects the countenance of a person . The writer of Proverbs 15 says , “ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance ” and , “ He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast ” ( verses 13 , 15 , KJV ) . “ Those who in everything make God first and last and best , are the happiest people in the world . ” * I continue to be happy no matter what the situation is because I trust God’s Word ( see Proverbs 16 : 20 ) .
When I saw things in my life from the perspective of God’s truth , it brought happiness to my heart and a continual feast into my life , even in the midst of troubles . I started to develop a cheerful countenance . It’s our privilege as Christians to be the happiest people on earth , demonstrating that joy and happiness to all around us .
Dear Father , please make these truths sink into our hearts so that we can trust in Your goodness . Help us know that doing so will bring us happiness .
Esther Synthia Murali