A few weeks ago, my daughter Ronny told me a recent survey revealed that the people in Louisiana are the happiest people in America.

I laughed and immediately responded, “We should be! We have more ‘happy hours’ than any other state!”

For the few people who may not be familiar with “happy hour,” it is a time when bars and restaurants sell alcohol cheap to attract business. The key word in the survey was “happy.”

In the secular world, being happy is one of the most important periods in a person’s life, however, being happy is only a temporary feeling.

Circumstances can be a reason to feel happy. Being lucky is another, or anything that causes a feeling of great pleasure makes us happy for a limited time.

In the spiritual world, joy is what gives someone peace and satisfaction. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. A Christian without joy is a weak witness for the faith they profess to have.

What exactly is joy and how do people receive it?

Many years ago, I heard it said that the letters JOY stand for putting Jesus first in your life, Other people second and Yourself last.

With that formula for life, you can rejoice and be a positive witness to others.

I’m reminded of Gayle Sayers, an exciting running back years ago with the Chicago Bears. He always wore a gold chain around his neck with the No. 3 attached.

People would question him for the reason he wore this. He would say that it reminded him to always put Jesus first, others second and him last. He explained that every morning when he looked in the mirror, the No. 3 reminded him of what he had to do.

Having joy and putting it in action is something we should do everyday if we are to have joy.

 

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.