How to be happy

The Bible speaks a lot about how we are to be happy.  The following verses describe the Biblical way of being happy.  Some might surprise you.

Keep God’s laws

Psa 1:1-2 GNB  Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.  2  Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.

Psa 19:8 GNB  The laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind.

Pro 29:18 GNB  A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law!

Psa 94:12 GNB  LORD, how happy are those you instruct, the ones to whom you teach your law!

Psa 106:3 GNB  Happy are those who obey his commands, who always do what is right.

Psa 112:1 GNB  Praise the LORD! Happy is the person who honors the LORD, who takes pleasure in obeying his commands.

Psa 119:1 GNB  Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD.

Psa 119:2 GNB  Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart.

Psa 128:1 GNB  Happy are those who obey the LORD, who live by his commands.

Rev 1:3 GNB  Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.

Rev 22:7 GNB  “Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”

Rev 22:14 GNB  Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so have the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life and to go through the gates into the city.

Seek help from the Lord

Psa 2:11-12 GNB  Serve the LORD with fear; tremble  12  and bow down to him; or else his anger will be quickly aroused, and you will suddenly die. Happy are all who go to him for protection.

Psa 34:8 GNB  Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. Happy are those who find safety with him.

Psa 84:5 GNB  How happy are those whose strength comes from you, who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.

Psa 146:5 GNB  Happy are those who have the God of Jacob to help them and who depend on the LORD their God,

Trust in the Lord

Psa 40:4 GNB  Happy are those who trust the LORD, who do not turn to idols or join those who worship false gods.

Psa 84:12 GNB  LORD Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!

Isa 30:18 GNB  And yet the LORD is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the LORD.

Show concern for the poor

Psa 41:1-3 GNB  Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the LORD will help them when they are in trouble.  2  The LORD will protect them and preserve their lives; he will make them happy in the land; he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.  3  The LORD will help them when they are sick and will restore them to health.

Know that your sins are forgiven

Psa 32:1-2 GNB  Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.  2 Happy is the one whom the LORD does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.

Rom 4:7 GNB  “Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!

Make the Lord your God

Psa 33:12 GNB  Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!

Psa 144:15 GNB  Happy is the nation of whom this is true; happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Luk 10:20 NKJV  Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Abide in God’s presence

Psa 84:4 GNB  How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you.

Worship God with singing

Psa 89:15 GNB  How happy are the people who worship you with songs, who live in the light of your kindness!

Remain faithful under trials

Jas 1:12 GNB  Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

Accept persecution for Jesus’ sake

Mat 5:10-12 NKJV  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11  “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1Pe 4:14 GNB  Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ’s followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Rev 14:13 GNB  Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!” “Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.”

Luk 6:22-23 NKJV  Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.  23  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Read the book of Revelation

Rev 1:3 GNB  Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.

Allow God to correct you

Job 5:17 GNB  Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you.

Become wise

Pro 3:13 GNB  Happy is anyone who becomes wise—who comes to have understanding.