God Wants Me to be Happy

  • Pastor David Hillis
  • Jul 12, 2009
  • Series: Mythbusters

 MYTHBUSTERS

“God Wants Me to be Happy”

Pastor David Hillis |  07.12.09

Myth:  God wants me to be happy.

Reality:  God isn’t concerned about our level of happiness; He wants us to be content.

Happiness is an emotion that is based on my circumstances (whether or not I get what I want).  Content-ment is a state of being which supersedes my circumstances (and whether or not I get what I think I want).

What is God’s will for us?  He wants us to be content.

· Matthew 6:33 … seek God’s kingdom, His will…not happiness

· Matthew 6:10 … Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will to be done

· 1 Thessalonians 5:18 … give thanks in all circumstances

· James 1:2-4 … see adversity as an opportunity to mature in your faith and character

· Philippians 4:11-12 … Paul learns to be content even in great adversity

· 1 Timothy 6:6-8 … Godliness with contentment is great gain

· Isaiah 43:7 … God made us to glorify Him, not ourselves

What have you striven for to make you feel happy?

· Money/comfortable life?

o Matthew 6:19-21 … don’t store up treasures here; it will get your heart & thoughts along with it

o Hebrews 13:5 … don’t be motivated by money/stuff; be content with what you already have

· Skinnier?  More muscular?  More tan?  Bigger this, smaller that?

o 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 … honor God with your body.  God lives inside it, so care for it but don’t be obsessed by it.

o 1 Peter 3:3-4 … be known for your inner beauty, not your outer appearance

o Luke 12:22-28 … worrying over food or how we are dressed are worthless pursuits; they are and should remain in God’s hands, not ours

o 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 … our outer body is wasting away day by day; focus instead on renewing your spirit.  Fix your eyes on what is unseen, and eternal.

·Success?  Power, control?  Position, title, authority?

o Matthew 23:11 … let go of power and authority in order to gain it; be content with yourself

·Health?  To not be suffering anymore?

o Hebrews 4:15 … Jesus understands firsthand our pains, temptations, weaknesses and struggles (also James 1:2-4, Philippians 4:11-12)

How can we strive for contentment?

1. By striving…daily…for a more meaningful relationship with Christ (Matthew 6:33, 2 Peter 1:3).

2. By living a life in obedience to Christ (Luke 11:18, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 6).

3. By letting go and giving ourselves away…our time, our stuff (Luke 12:15-21, Luke 17:33, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Peter 4:10).

Parting questions:

1. Why is getting what we want so important to us?

2. What was the last thing you were really grateful for?  How do you feel about it now?

3. Do you pray to get from God or get God?

4. Do you pray to move God, or for God to move you?

5. Do you courageously punctuate your prayers with “your will be done”?  Not flippantly/religiously, but humbly/sincerely.

6. Do you pray to get out of pain, or through it?  Don’t pray to keep it, but pray “your will be done”

7. Do you pray to both hear and accept God’s will for your life?  Do you accept that God will answer your prayers with either “YES”, “NO” or “LATER”?

 

 

 

 

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