How to be Happy in Times of Trouble
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We are in an unprecedented time right now. Almost every where I go, I run into people who are afraid and even depressed with our situation right now. I will speak on overcoming worry and anxiety Sunday.
People are becoming depressed and angry and I just don’t see a lot of happiness out there right now.
10 The thief ’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
Someone once said, never waster a good crisis. Know who said that? No, not a politician, it was the devil that said that and he is working overtime right now trying to rob you of your peace, your joy and you life....
I believe that Jesus wants you to live an abundant life, even in this crazy time.
I want to give you some principles you can live by that will help you live an abundant life, a joy filled life during this time of trouble or the next one.
1. Live your life to honor Jesus every day.
1. Live your life to honor Jesus every day.
Paul gives several lists of dos and don’ts but he did not include everything. Instead he gives us a powerful principle to live by.
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Paul is saying that everything we do, we are to do it for the Lord. When you go to work, you are not working for ??? you are working for the Lord. He has you assigned to ??? but you work for the Lord.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
As Christians, we represent Jesus… either in a good way or in a poor way. I believe we are to represent him well.
ILL - Years ago, Alexander the Great was conquering the world. During one of his campaigns, he was visiting his wounded soldiers and he came to a young man who had deserted his companions and was just plain scared. Alexander went to him and asked the boy his name to which the boy replied, “Alexander.” Alexander the great paused for a minute and then said, “Son, you either need to change your name or change your ways.”
Here is what you need to do.
Wake up in the morning and commit to honor God in all your actions that day.
Wake up in the morning and commit to honor God in all your actions that day.
While you are at it, go ahead and…
Pray for self control over temptations and for forgiveness when you fail.
Pray for self control over temptations and for forgiveness when you fail.
You will be amazed at how often when you are tempted to dishonor God, how often you will be reminded that you commited your day to honor Him.
2. Spent time in the Word of God
2. Spent time in the Word of God
You have to spend time reading, studying, meditating, memorizing and applying the WOG into your life - daily. This will allow God to use His Word to transform your life.
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
ILL - spoke to someone who is reading ACTS. Talk about something to meditate on…
5 I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
As you meditate on God’s Word, it will sink in and impact your thoughts, your words, and your actions. It will change us to be more like Jesus.
We have to allow the WOG to “reprogram” our minds.
I have heard people say, I follow my heart, and then they wonder why they are in a mess.
9 The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is!
Don’t follow your heart. Read, Study, meditate on and apply the WOG. We have to change the way we think or to reprogram our minds.
Meditation helps us to reprogram our minds
Meditation helps us to reprogram our minds
You will not reprogram it watching hours and hours of the news or by getting your news from social media. If you watch the news all the time, you will be depressed, and despondent.
How do you reprogram your mind?
How do you reprogram your mind?
Reprograming begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ
Reprograming begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ
Reprograming begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!
You are not reformed you are transformed.
Reprograming our minds involves changing the way we think.
Reprograming our minds involves changing the way we think.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
God will change who we are by changing the way we think.
We change the way we think by reading, meditating, memorizing and applying the Word of God in our lives.
We change the way we think by reading, meditating, memorizing and applying the Word of God in our lives.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
We change the way we think by monitoring what we let into our minds
We change the way we think by monitoring what we let into our minds
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
You can’t control your emotions, but you can control your thoughts. You can choose what you think about which will impact how you feel and determine you you act.
Turn off your TV and monitor your thoughts. Don’t let the negative in… look for the true and honorable things.
3. Get rid of all grudges every day.
3. Get rid of all grudges every day.
This is a choice and not a feeling, but God will help you to do it.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
God doesn’t say that you should never become angry, but its does say how to handle anger. We are to deal with his immediately. If you do not deal with it, it will turn into bitterness.
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
4. Spend time with those you love
4. Spend time with those you love
Spend time with those you love. Be thankful for them.
5. Spend time each week with other Christians
5. Spend time each week with other Christians
Go to worship services and Small groups
20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
We have to choose our friends wisely. Hang out with people who value what you value and who are going the same direction you are going.
LUG Group in High school - impacted my life to this day
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
6. Develop a daily routine
6. Develop a daily routine
12 Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.
Don’t let your days become unstructured
Set aside time with the Lord
Set aside time for your personal mental health
Set aside time for important relationships
Set aside time to work
Set aside time for ministry
7. Do something for someone else every day
7. Do something for someone else every day
Boy Scout motto - Do a good turn daily...
16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Live your life to honor God
Spend time in the WOG… Let it transform you
Get rid of grudges every day
spend time with those you love
spend time with other Christians
Develop a daily routine
Do something for someone else every day