Tags
1 Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18, Apostle Paul Sayings, Cheerful, Heal, Jesus, Miracle, Pray, Sick, Simple, Thankful

Happy
I have been focusing increasingly on simplicity. I have been trying to reduce many complex issues down to no more than three ideas. Simple, however, does not mean easy or easy to do. I am discovering in fact, many times even three things can be tough to execute.
So, Paul had three things he suggested to do. Simple? Yes, but not easy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18 he suggested them. This is the version from The Message translation.
- Be cheerful no matter what
- pray all the time
- thank God no matter what happens
This is the way God wants you who belong to the Messiah Jesus to live.
Starting in reverse makes a difference I have discovered. So how does God want me to live? To thank God no matter what happens.
Really? No matter what happens; thank God. Well, if I am doing that (not easy), I will be praying all the time. Nonstop because in the course of the day a lot happens and thanking God for all that happens will have me praying tons.
So, if I thank God no matter what happens which has me praying all the time, I will be cheerful no matter what.
When I do it, wow it is so immensely powerful. When I don’t, I have come to discover I am not the same person.
So … the challenge is to focus more.