Christian Living

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Every day is NOT a Friday, Joel Osteen, for many people. In fact, NO day is a Friday for some. God is more concerned with us being godly than happy, happy, happy all the time, Victoria. While it is true that a person can CHOOSE to be happy as much as possible in life and should seek to experience their BEST LIFE NOW, there is an entirely different side to this that some Bible teachers neglect. God wants us to be formed to his likeness.

Being conformed to God's image sometimes involves discipline and adversity. Take the life of Job, for example. He was one of the most righteous and God-fearing men who ever lived, but God still allowed Satan to bring intense trial into his life. There are also many verses mentioned throughout the Bible that speak of adversity and some even say that God CAUSES it. Here are just two examples: II Timothy 3:12 says, "And, indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted." Did you catch that? Living godly lives will lead to persecution. Another verse, Isaiah 45:7, nails it. "The one forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity, I am the Lord who does all these things." Most people realize, too, that if we respond to adversity properly and seek to learn what God wants to teach us, we will become more godly.

Scripture also teaches us to deny ourselves of fleshly wants and to take up our cross daily, including Fridays. (Matthew 16:24 and many other places.) We should not expect to always have everything we want, and if we are truly serving God and fulfilling our divine purpose, we may have to get by with less than desirable things and circumstances. I think the American culture especially may have developed some of what I will refer to as "spoiled Christians." Too many people expect to receive anything they ask God for and take for granted what they already have. Along with this they often want more, bigger or better, and adversity? Who wants that? And if everything does not go just right, they think there is a problem reflecting a lack of faith or some weakness.

Many families are struggling with one income or working minimum-wage jobs. They have become victims of the economy. They live day after day feeling stuck in some situation feeling like there is no way out. Depression is at an all-time high. One doesn't get out of these circumstances just by being happy, happy all the time.

Next, think of all the Christians around the world who are being persecuted, tortured, jailed, and even killed for their faith. These Christians are very holy people but I am sure that they are finding it very difficult to be happy, even one day a week, let alone on Friday.

Scripture tells us to be holy as God is holy. What did Jesus do? He sacrificed his life and gave up his heavenly position seated at the throne of the Father so we could all have an example of what it means to be godly and holy. God wants us to have our best life now, but best may not mean blessing and happiness all of the time. This also includes worship, Victoria. "When you come to church, when you worship him" you're doing it to experience God's holiness and to worship in holy attire, Psalm 96:9, not for your own personal happiness.

Happiness or holiness? Sometimes we can have both; sometimes not. When not, it may be best to give up some happiness to be holy, and not the other way around. There is nothing wrong with wanting nice things and desiring everything to go well. Each person should take charge of his or her own happiness. It is wrong, however, to do it at the expense of not allowing God to develop godly character, and he may do that with adversity. Particularly now, in the time in which we live, happiness is not what is going to pull people through. What Christians need now more than ever is to live godly, holy lives that are strong in the face of persecution.

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