Most of the time when we think of the word blessed or blessings, we associate that with favor or receiving good things. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines it this way: “made happy or prosperous; extolled; pronounced happy.”
In Christian circles we often hear that we should not seek to be happy, happiness is fleeting, and we aren’t to do what makes us happy but rather what makes us holy. To which I agree to a point. Happiness is fleeting, but it is a God-given emotion and emotions are not wrong or bad. Happiness does come and go so we should not live only by emotions. As Christians, we should have joy, which is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Joy can be found even when life is not happy because it is rooted in Jesus, and He never changes.
However, the Bible talks a lot about things we can do to be blessed or happy. God is not against this emotion.
Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” The Bible is clear that you will not be blessed, or happy, if you are doing these things. This is a direct look at the company you keep. Be aware and careful of your influences. The company you keep will affect your attitude. Verse 2 tells us where delight is found, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Rather than walking in ungodly counsel, standing in the way of sinners, and being scornful, we should be meditating on God’s Word and finding happiness and delight in God.
Psalm 84:12, 34:8, and Jeremiah 17:7 tell us that we will be blessed if we trust in the LORD. Think about that. You are trusting in something today. Are you trusting in your job, savings account, abilities, degrees, other people, or the Lord? God is the only reliable place we can put our trust. He will always be faithful.
There’s many other passages that deal with this idea of being blessed. All are based on salvation and obedience. If we are not trusting God, living according to His Word, spending time in His Word, or loving people, then we will not live happy lives.
We must stop expecting to have happiness, joy, peace, and answered prayer when we are so set on living contrary to God and His principles for our lives. He will correct His children just as earthly parents correct their children, because He loves us. Don’t wait until He gets your attention to start living like you should. We are free to choose our actions, but we are not free to choose our consequences.
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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