Be Happy

They can be recognized by the serious expression on their faces. A sort of severity accompanies all they do. One would never expect them to have a good "belly-laugh" or to find something so funny there would be tears streaming down their face as laughter overcomes them. There is a right time and place for laughter. True and genuine laughter leaves only a good effect behind. Jesus promised that His followers would laugh and leap for joy (Luke 6:21 Luke 6:21Blessed are you that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh.
American King James Version×.23). Ecclesiastes 9:7 Ecclesiastes 9:7Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works.
American King James Version×and 9 tell us to live joyfully because God has accepted us.
It seems that being sour reflects a doubt that God loves us and has accepted us. It can become a lack of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is a danger of convincing ourselves that God loves us in spite of the fact that we are not obeying Him. Many people manage to do that. Happiness that is healthy and permanent results from understanding and accepting the wonderful gift of forgiveness Christ offers and struggling to live according to God's laws. Paul came to that point after years of inner struggle. He told Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
American King James Version×). He was happy—and that happiness is there for each of us.