The Happiness Report? Are You A Joy Giver?

THE HAPPINESS REPORT? ARE YOU A JOY GIVER?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

ARE THERE METAL OR MENTAL HINDRANCES TO JOY? I watched a circus employee stick a metal rod in the mud. He just pushed the rod in several inches with his bare hand. Then the man hooked a chain around the ELEPHANT’S ankle. The ELEPHANT was imprisoned by the small rod. I asked the ELEPHANT KEEPER can’t he easily pull himself free? The keeper said anytime he desires the elephant could walk away. When the 2,000 pound animal feels the tug, he stops TRYING.

The sad story is repeated over and over in our SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS. JOY IS NOT IN THINGS… JOY IS NOT EXTERNALS. JOY IS INTERNAL --- IT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF US… A CHOICE…

WE NEED A PARADIGM SHIFT… A PATTERN CHANGE… WE BECOME EXPERTS AT BUILDING BARRIERS AND WALLS TO HINDER OUR REAL JOY. We pay dear prices for underestimating the value of joy.

The same fence we build to keep others out, becomes the trap that imprisons us and keep us in… those fences can be physical, mental and spiritual. JOY IS A DAILY CHOICE!

ARE WE JOY GIVERS? OR ARE WE JOY STEALERS? The world is full of negativity, fear, trials and misunderstandings. Joy can face any storm.

TEXT:

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

WHAT DEFINES LIFE?

Life is not measured by how many toys you have?… Or by how much you own?

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

I RECENTLY RAN ACROSS A STUDY CALLED THE WORLD’S HAPPINESS REPORT THAT SURVEYED 156 NATIONS.

There is a study of the HAPPIEST PLACES ON EARTH. The report searched 153 nations to determine what was the happiest nation on earth. The USA has the richest per capita people of the world. The average American has the best LIFESTYLE and CONVENIENCES known to man. In the USA the average living situation is better than any other nation. THEREFORE THE USA MUST BE THE HAPPIEST NATION IN THE WORLD? NOT SO… according to this annual report.

ON THE HAPPINESS SCALE #1 FOR 5 YEARS IN A ROW WAS FINLAND. #2 was DENMARK. #3 was ICELAND … then the list goes SWEDEN, NORWAY, NETHERLANDS, and LUXEMBOURG… At #9 we find war torn ISRAEL. Then bringing up #10 was NEW ZEALAND.

CANADA IS AT 15. THE USA IS RANKED AT 17… While the USA has the highest economic standard and comfort lifestyle the USA IS RANKED AT 17. Stress, panic attacks, worry and fear all seem to keep the USA UNHAPPY?

The nation that comes in LAST PLACE, 153 IS AFGHANISTAN. For some reason since 2005 the USA has gradually fallen lower and lower?

PLEASURE? HAPPINESS? JOY? PLEASURE HAS A SEASON, BUT AT BEST PLEASURE IS TEMPORARY. ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS:

Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN HAPPINESS AND JOY? (Happiness is an emotion. Happiness is never enough. Emotions can be fickle. JOY IS A CHOICE OF ATTITUDES.

2. I WOULD BE HAPPIER IF: ___________________________________________________.

JOY IS A NET OF HOPE, PEACE AND LOVE BY WHICH WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER. Love brings joy. Joy brings lasting love.

WHAT HOLDS FAMILIES AND CHURCHES TOGETHER? Love never fails. Couple that with JOY and COMMON RESPECT AS THE GLUE OF LIFE BECOMES A BOND.

JOY IS LIVING WITH A SERVANT’S HEART. WOULD LIFE BE WONDERFUL IF EVERY PERSON THAT YOU ENCOUNTER LEFT BETTER AND HAPPIER THAN WHEN THEY FIRST MET YOU?

DO WE LIVE COUNTING WHAT I DON’T HAVE? WHY NOT COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS…? IN OUR FAMILIES HAVE WE LOST OUR JOY? WE CAN WARM BY THE FIRE OR WE CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO LOVE THE SMOKE? DOES MY CUP RUN OVER?

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5 (MSG) You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

A JUDGMENTAL, NEGATIVE AND CRITICAL ATTITUDE BECOMES A BONDAGE AGAIN SPIRIT.