Consider below statement:
“As long as I am happy, I do no evil or
nothing against law, I am clear conscience to my soul, I will live without
regrets each day!”
In contemporary society, many will think
that the above statement is so true. Is it really true?
Happiness
Everyone wants to be happy. We make
chasing this elusive ideal of happiness a lifelong pursuit.
We work hard to earn, and after we earn,
we either spent it on ourselves or on others. We collect things and constantly
search for new experiences to satisfy our desires.
But happiness depends on circumstances. A
child can be happy when he or she has a new toy. But what happens when toys
rust or the toy become old and not longer satisfies the child? The child is
always looking for something new to satisfy him or herself.
You can be happy during the moment when
you are partying, eating and drinking excessive alcohol. However the next day,
you may have a hangover, or stomach problems. And it may appear that you have
found your Mr./Mrs. Right by outward appearance, only for time to let you
discover how the inward self is the key for a long-term joyful relationship.
Then there are things beyond your
control that makes you really unhappy. You can be the most honest and person of
integrity and dignity, but when things beyond your control take place, you will
still feel extremely unhappy. For instance, health deteriorates, love ones die,
money lost, and party is over?
Often happiness flees and despair sets
in.
Therefore happiness is somewhat temporary
and based on circumstances. It is like something that requires self-effort,
self-will and constant self-seeking desires each time and again to attain.
On our lips we always claim we “will be
happy” or “as long as we are happy” can liao, yet how many realize that “Happiness”
is something not permanent.
Joy
In contrast to happiness stands joy.
Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of love and
work in our lives by a supernatural force. Joy is the abundance of love, care
and comfort and it does not depend on what happens in this world.
It is something inward. It is permanent
and eternal expresses through our heart. A heart that is right! It is liken to
be a gift to us. In contrast the so-called “happiness” we are chasing for,
requires the constantly search new things or experiences to fulfill our
desires, intellectual or emotions.
How
to have Joy?
So how to have joy? I humbly lay down the below points to ponder.
Love
The need for love overflowing more and
more and that we keep growing in knowledge and understanding of the truth! The
truth that is circumcised in our heart and display in works and in spirit to
people around us. And not just by putting on the lips or just going to a place
with brick and mortar.
Righteousness
Have a righteous character that lives
pure and blameless not just for the sake of yourself or your family, but also
to neighbors and strangers. And not just saying that I abide by the
law, do no harm to others that I am great. Or if did we only realise that good education grades is so important that we forget about character building in a person?
Not for myself alone
Many think to break the law is a big
sin. But how many of us realize that a bigger unwritten sin - the love of self and
pride within us, which leads to all sorts of problem in today’s world. Do not
be selfish, do not try to impress, be humble, thinking of others as better than
you. Do not look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in
others too. Do not have selfish ambition, insincerity and have false motives.
Unity
Agree wholeheartedly with each other,
loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Be united
in body, soul and spirit.
Wisdom, knowledge and anticipation
Do everything without complaining and
arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean and innocent, yet wise
and knowledgeable, shining like bright lights in world full of crooked and
ambitiously wicked people. With the gifts of wisdom and knowledge and ability to discern the good from the evil, you will be able to see into the future and be prudent.
Do not conform to this world
Do not copy the behavior of this world
and see things only the norm or public can see to reap temporary reward by
being selfish or wicked. Instead be kind and see the light into the future for
you will receive thirty, sixty or hundreds folds in due time to come. Be
patient.
Be bold and have no fear
Do not be intimidated in any way by your
enemies. Do not fret because of the evildoers, nor be envious of the reward of
the wicked. Gain confidence and bodily speaks the truth without fear.
Be labourers awaiting patiently to reap
the harvest
Sowed goodness, be patience, and you
will reap and receiving multi-folds of wages, and gather fruits for eternal
life. Laziness is a sin. Do not just hear the good news. Learn and understand
and do and declare good works in glory and let it multiply so that others can
also enjoy the fruits.
Be contended
Give thanks with a grateful heart and learn
to be contented with whatever you have.
Beware of false teachers
Beware of those who teach others but do
not teach themselves. They teach you not to steal, but they steal from you secretly.
They easily deceived you because you open door for them, due to your own
greediness and desires of worldly pleasures. These are the false teachers who
also perform miracles for you to be rich and successful and yet blinded with
the worldly pleasures. So much so that it is just the beginning of the sorrows
that is going to steal, kill, divide and destroy you and your family
eventually.
Do not pin hopes on human leaders
Do not hold too high a confidence in
human shepherds to take charge of your life or even to take charge of your nation. They are unable to do it, no matter how much promises they lay down to you on their lips. The problems of this world is too huge for a president, for a government to tackle. Therefore filled our hearts with the love peace and joy, so that we shower it to others and help people in need.
Be spiritual wealthy
Be spiritually wealthy with outpouring
compassion to others seeking righteousness in life, rather than
materialistically wealth with self-seeking indulgence. Live in spirit and walk
in spirit.
Faith and hope
Put on the breastplate of faith and helmet
of hope in life. We will be given strength to perform miracles beyond our
wildest imagination.
Do not worry
Do not worry too much about your life.
Do not worry also about what you eat or what you will drink, nor about the
luxurious house you stay, nor how you will look or wear outwardly, nor what job
you have, nor what stocks you own, nor the eagerness of achieving financial
freedom. The seeking of one freedom (financial) leads to the enslavement of
another without you yourself knowing.
For tomorrow will worry about its own
things as we live today with righteousness, love and peace. All things will
then taken care by itself supernaturally with overflowing joy tomorrow and for
eternal.