Don’t Worry – Be Happy!
Who doesn’t remember the 1988 fun song written and performed by Bobby McFerrin? I’m surprised that someone has not “revived” this song to help us as we all deal with the difficulties associated with the current virus. Perhaps this song is not being sung due to the fact that things are still difficult in so many areas. Things will likely remain tough and may even become worse. But the words of this cute song might very well, at least bring a smile to our faces, even in tough times.
Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
Life is full of worry, but that does not mean happiness can’t be ours. After the Lord taught His apostles the lesson of humility by washing their feet, He also gave them another valuable lesson. In John 13:16-17 He told them the secret for true happiness. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Even when times are tough and when we are afflicted, we can still be happy. In James 5:10-11 we see what the Spirit had James write on this subject. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
There is the chance that we may suffer for doing what God has Commanded. If that proves to be the case, perhaps we should be reminded of 1Peter 3:14 as it also informs that even then, while we suffer, we can be happy. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; This was so important that something very similar was also stated in 1Peter 4:14, and that God is glorified in this. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. In verses 15-16 we are instructed in the things in which we are to NOT be involved and that we are to never be ashamed for serving God, but that we are to glorify God in our tribulation. (1Peter 4:15-16) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Happy and Joyful are often used interchangeably. There is no doubt that one who is happy exhibits joy. In 2Corinthians 7:4-5 we can see that Paul was joyful even in times of tribulation. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Then in verses 6-7 we can see that consolation exists even during times of mourning. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Perhaps people allow themselves to “block” their happiness because they are too prone to worry. But the Bible also deals with this. Philippians 4:6 tells us how we are to deal with worry. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. The word “careful” here means “anxious”. Anxious by definition is: experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. The truth is, there is no need to worry about things over which we have no control. There is also no real need to worry about the things over which we do have control. For instance, we have full control over our Salvation if we but do what God has Commanded in His Word. We needn’t “worry” about it, but we must “work” at it.
In Philippians 2:12 the Christians there had to maintain their Salvation which is in Christ. We too must “work out” our Salvation. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. The way of true happiness was revealed to the Psalmist by the Spirit in Psalms 144:15 and still applies today. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. The people of the Lord are those who obey His Word.
If you have been obedient and are a child of God, “don’t worry – Be happy”. If you have not obeyed the gospel – Seek that happiness today.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
