Fear and Happiness
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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Either way, you have to be afraid. Be happy,
afraid.
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COLUMN: Final Phase
Fear and Happiness
by J. Randal Matheny
Some people are afraid of being happy. At least,
it seems that way. They are their own worst
enemies. They sabotage their own efforts toward a
happier life.
Perhaps they tried to be happy before and found
only failure. Perhaps bad habits or unhealthy
thinking holds them prisoner, and they can't see
beyond their warped, but comfortable zone.
The Bible, however, presents fear as the key to
being happy.
"PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy,
fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears
(reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights
greatly in His commandments" (Psalm 112:1, AMP).
While some are afraid to be happy, others are
"afraid" in order to be happy. Those who fear the
Lord are fortunate, indeed. Fear of the Lord, as
the above version indicates, is profound respect,
reverence, consideration for who the Lord is, the
all-powerful, all-knowing Creator, Almighty God.
Such as these don't consider God's commandments as
burdens too heavy to bear, but find pleasure in
his instructions. The know that the Lord orders
what is always best for his chldren.
Which group do you belong to?
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