Being Happy

Recent studies have shown that depression and acute anxiety rates are on the rise, especially among youth and young adults starting at age 12. The reasons are complex and complicated and I am far from a psychiatrist, but experts suggest that a lack of feeling deeper meaning and purpose in life is a major contributing factor.
 
God’s blessing in Numbers 6 is a famous one:
The Lord bless you and protect you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.
 
John Wesley commented on this blessing, “We cannot but be happy, if we have God’s love.”  Life is complicated and can throw all sorts of curve balls at you, but as a pastor, I believe that if we find our greater meaning and purpose in God’s love and not in our jobs, our money, our stuff, in the things of the world…. Only then, we will find true happiness.  It is when we lose sight that our purpose is to glorify Christ in all that we do, that we too become a part of the rising statistics in depression and anxiety.  Instead, we can find protection, graciousness, and peace in the Lord. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Where do I find meaning and purpose in my life? 
• Are my meaning and purpose defined by Christ or by something else, like my job?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What does it mean to find meaning and purpose in Christ?
• Are you struggling with stress or anxiety? How can you give your worries to God?

PRAYER
Lord, let our lives revolve around you.  Help us to find meaning and purpose in You so that we might be truly fulfilled.  We lay our worries and anxieties at your feet. We pray for those that struggle with anxiety and depression.  May they find comfort and peace in you and get the help they need.  In Your Son’s name Jesus, we pray, Amen.