Resurrecting Happiness Part 2 Overcoming the Obstacles for Happiness Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D.

Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Only about 1/3 of Americans consider themselves “very happy Only about 1/3 of Americans consider themselves “very happy.” Would it surprise you if I told you God wants you to have real joy?

Review Part One: The Search for Happiness

“…More than simply positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life—that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction.”

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness… The declaration of independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

The take away is, happiness is a universal pursuit.

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. (unsourced).

The mathematical solution? ~ Mo Gawdat, engineer at Google, formulated an equation for happiness from the death of his 21-year-old son.

When the Son of God died on the cross, there were many disciples who were struggling for happiness.

Review Part Two: The Resurrection of Happiness

Fear and Joy Note what the angel speaks in Verse 5 “Do not be afraid”. Their initial response in verse 8 is “with fear and great joy.” Fear will eventually overwhelm joy if not dealt with.

Jesus Calls to Joy Vs. 9 “rejoice.” Vs. 10 “do not be afraid.” Don’t let fear and anxiety destroy your joy.

Purpose Behind the Call For Strength~ Nehemiah 8:10b- the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Purpose Behind the Call For Health~ Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Purpose Behind the Call The Life of the Kingdom~ Romans 14:17 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Purpose Behind the Call For Hope~ Romans 15:13 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Purpose Behind the Call The very nature of God~ Galatians 5:22-23.

Closing… You are not here by accident Closing… You are not here by accident. God wants you to have a resurrection encounter with Joy

Resurrecting Happiness Part 2 Overcoming the Obstacles for Happiness Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Anxiety or fear unchecked will rob you of happiness. Answer for Happiness ~ Get out your Philippians 4:8 Tool box and control your thought life. Add in the tools of Phil. 4:4-7.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Unresolved relationship stresses are the #1 cause of depression in women and also cause considerable stress for men. Answer for Happiness ~ Romans 12:18- “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Obstacle to happiness ~ Unresolved relationship stresses are the #1 cause of depression in women and also cause considerable stress for men. Answer for Happiness ~ Do your best, leave the rest to God, and if they don’t wish to change, leave the negative people behind. Your happiness needs to be dependent on God, and not controlled by people.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Unresolved relationship stresses are the #1 cause of depression in women and also cause considerable stress for men. Answer for Happiness ~ Romans 12:15 teaches you must also “be happy with those who are happy” and not only weep with those who weep.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Physical exhaustion Obstacle to happiness ~ Physical exhaustion. Study showing relationship of colds and sickness to less sleep. Archives of Internal Medicine, January 12, 2009 - People with less than 7 hours of sleep were almost 3 times more likely to develop a cold than those with 8 hours or more of sleep. You can’t be happy when you are burning yourself out.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Physical/Emotional Exhaustion Answer for Happiness ~ You need a day of rest / refreshing each week. That is the fourth commandment. Take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Obstacle to happiness ~ Bad Choices (Galatians 5:19-21) Answer for Happiness ~ You can’t quench the Spirit through sin and expect to feel the happiness of the Spirit. After the short term pleasure wears off you realize you can’t feel right from choosing wrong. Make the right choices in the eyes of God and he will restore your happiness. (Psalm 51:12)

Closing – We have looked at four obstacles to happiness and how to overcome them. Next week, there is more to come because God wants you to have true and lasting happiness as you enjoy Him forever.