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It helps focusing increasingly on simplicity. Can we reduce many complex issues down to no more than three ideas. Simple, however, does not mean easy or easy to do. We may discover 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.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Messiah Jesus for you.

ESV (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Th 5:16–18.

This is the way God wants you who belong to the Messiah Jesus to live. We are to be happy in our sanctification with Jesus.

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.

The word is μακάριος — makarios. It is usually translated as “blessed”. It is generally understood to mean happy in English. I’m going with that.

  1. Happiness comes from keeping God’s commands and being obedient.
    1. Proverbs 29:18 — 18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy [blessed] is he who keeps the law.
    2. Isaiah 56:1–2 —Thus says the Master, “Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed. How happy [blessed] is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
    3. Matthew 24:46 (CSB) – “Happy [blessed] is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.”
    4. Luke 12:43 (CSB) – “Happy [blessed] is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes
  2. Happiness comes from God’s word.
    1. Luke 11:27–28 (NASB) —While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Happy is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, happy [blessed] are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
    2. Revelation 1:3 —Happy [blessed] is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
    3. Revelation 22:7 — “And behold, I am coming quickly. Happy [blessed] is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
  3. Happiness comes from the joyful sounds of God.
    1. Psalm 89:15 — How happy [blessed] are the people who know the joyful sound! O Master, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
  4. Happiness comes from the discipline of God.
    1. Job 5:17 — “Behold, how happy [blessed] is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
    2. Psalm 94:12 —Happy [blessed] is the man whom You chasten, O Master, And whom You teach out of Your law;
  5. Happiness comes from not being evil.
    1. Psalm 1:1–2 —How happy [blessed] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Master, And in His law he meditates day and night.
  6. Happiness comes from fear of God.
    1. Psalm 112:1 —Praise the Master! How happy [blessed] is the man who fears the Master, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
    2. Psalm 128:1 —How happy [blessed] is everyone who fears the Master, Who walks in His ways.
    3. Proverbs 28:14 —How happy [blessed] is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.