Are you struggling with anxiety? Talk to us.

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22

Of all the phrases bestowed to us by the Founding Fathers, few come up more than pursuit of happiness. Yet who knows where the nation really stands on that score. Now an answer may be forthcoming. Amid a wave of research on the subject, the federal government is seeking ways to measure what some have called Gross National Happiness (GNH).

A panel of experts in psychology and economics began convening in December to try to define reliable measures of subjective well-being. If successful, these could become official statistics.

The idea of the government tallying personal feelings might seem frivolous or impossibly difficult. For decades, after all, the world has gotten by with gauging a nation’s quality of life on the basis of its GDP, or gross domestic product, the sum of its economic output. But economists and others have long recognized that GDP, a dollars and cents measure, doesn’t count everything that might be considered important when assessing living conditions. Our gross national product accepts that which makes life worthwhile.

But as the government ventures into the squishy realm of feelings, statisticians will first have to define happiness and then how to measure it. Neither is a trivial matter. There is even some doubt whether people, when polled, can accurately say whether they are happy. Personally I think they are on the wrong track.

Well, I have a suggestion. First they have to differentiate between happiness and joy. Happiness comes from without; joy comes from within. Happiness is often determined by our economic station in life. Joy comes from inner peace in our soul. Happiness focuses on the now; joy looks to eternity. Happiness comes on the mountain tops; joy is peace in the valleys of life.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentation 3:22-23). Now that is the wellspring of true joy and the measuring stick for us all.

How to you define happiness? You spell it joy and it’s not something capable of external numerical evaluation since it comes from within and when you have it, no one needs to measure it because it becomes an obvious part of your daily life.

Questions: Are you living a life of happiness and joy? If not, what steps can you take today to move towards having joy?

“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

When the wealthy businessman choked on a fish bone at a restaurant, he was fortunate that a doctor was seated at a nearby table. Springing up, the doctor skillfully removed the bone and saved the man’s life.

As soon as the fellow had calmed himself and could talk again, he thanked the surgeon enthusiastically and offered to pay him for his services. “Just name the fee,” he croaked gratefully. “Okay,” replied the doctor. “How about half of what you’d have offered when the bone was still stuck in your throat?”

Are we often guilty of seeing God’s value more in times of need and pain? When things are going well, too often we shove God aside, but when trouble comes, we are quick to call upon Him for help.

But how often are we looking for help in the wrong places? Recently released telephone directory figures reveal that out of 20 million recent callers, those wanting information about churches and religious organizations fell by 24 percent, while those seeking mediums, palm readers and other “spiritual services” jumped 161 percent.

In the midst of the current economic crisis and long term uncertainty, people are seeking reassurance that things will be all right, but they are looking in the wrong places for answers.

Scripture is clear that God is near. He invites us to call upon Him, but not just in times of trouble. He created us for fellowship in the good times as well as encouragement in the difficult times of life. His value is the same, in both good times and bad.

James (4:8) tells us to come near to God and He will come near to us. How close is your walk with the Master? I know that mine could use some “drawing near” and probably yours could too.

Too often I try to be the captain of my ship and the master of my fate, but it is not God’s will for me to do this “life thing” alone. He created me in the beginning and waits to greet me at the end and in between He desires a partnership with me in all I do and in the good times as well as the bad.

Question: Where are some of the places we look when we really should be looking to God?

Tired of living a frustrated Christian life?

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

The turkey is almost devoured, save a few slices for sandwiches and soup. Most of the dishes are done; perhaps there are a few left in the sink. The leftovers are packed away, or doled out to family and friends. Thanksgiving is over and today is the biggest shopping day of the year.

Thousands arise before the crack of dawn to camp out at the entrance to stores, waiting in anticipation for the doors to open to humongous bargains. Store owners anxiously hope for a stellar day of sales. They know today will set the financial tone for this Christmas season. Still others will decide to stay home, watch the games on TV and not take advantage of the savings. A few more will wait until the last minute to do their gift shopping.

A friend told me of a dream. A woman entered a totally white room, void of furnishings. The only thing in it was right in the middle. There before her eyes were hundreds if not thousands of brightly colored presents, stacked one on top of each other in the shape of a giant Christmas tree. Each had her name on the tag. All were waiting to be opened.

Then the Lord said, “Behold, here are all my blessings I have wished to bestow on you, but you refused to take them because you didn’t turn to me.”

What if we waited with as much anticipation for God’s blessings to us as those shoppers camping out at the stores? They are looking to save a few bucks, to grab up the bargains. His love is more than a bargain, it is freely given. All we have to do is take it, open it and claim it as our own. Like the store owners, He waits, hoping we will storm the doors and rush in to get it.

This Christmas season, no matter the economy, no matter how many presents you can or can’t afford to buy, take time to receive the free gift of Christ into your hearts. It is the one present you should open every day of your life – His presence. He is waiting for you to come get it.

Once you do, there is so much more in store for you.

Questions: How many of His blessings do you think you have refused? What can you do to make sure you open each one and claim it from now on?

About the Author Julie Cosgrove

Pressure for a Perfect Christmas

The pressure to succeed can sometimes carry over from our work into our personal and family lives. Somehow we think the perfect Christmas is happening in someone else’s house, and we feel the need to compete.

Christmas is packed with expectations. Don’t be driven by a list of expectations. There’s a better way to have a satisfying Christmas. > Read more

________________________________________________________________________

Also read: Learn from the market crash: Lessons from an Economic Crisis

This week’s success quote: “How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever.” – David Norris

Christmas Feature: Connect with your Family, Even when You’re Far Away
Here are eight ways you can stay connected with your family this Christmas even if you can’t be physically present with them. > Read more

Save Time & Money: Four Ways to Skip the Mall
Who has time to go to the mall these days? Here’s how to skip the mall this Christmas! > Read more

Coming up next week: The Gifts of Christmas: True Friendship. Join us in the chat room
December 23, 2009 @ 9:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar.

Photo credit: istolethetv, used under Creative Commons license.

Take action: Want to grow in your relationship with our great and glorious God? Explore our online interactive studies about “Learning About God“.

You said it: This week Kaddee shared on the Is God Still Talking? women’s devotional, saying “I love how God confirms what I am believing in my heart! So many times I want to make decisions about life’s situations and am not sure which way to go then seeking Gods direction makes me wait to hear from Him …” Read the rest of the comments on Pray God’s Word into Your Darkness, and join the conversation on Devotional for Men and Devotional for Women, each updated daily!

Blog: Tithing in Tough Economic Times
Should Christians reduce tithes in a tough economy? When money is tight, doesn’t the church also need funds just as desperately? Read more

Devotional: The Danger of Strength
Success and strength can become dangerous when uncoupled from reliance upon our Creator God, when we assume autonomy instead of recognition that all we are and all we accomplish are from the hand of a gracious God. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “What Does It Mean to Have Faith?” Join us in the chat room October 25th 2009 @ 9:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

Learn to manage your time better with our free online interactive life lesson “Time Management“!

Are you ready to “simplify your life”? If so, what is one thing that you wouldn’t be willing to give up?

It’s easy to think that charity is something someone else should do,

Wealth and opportunity are incredibly subjective. Those of us who eat three times a day without thinking about it, who lock the door behind us and get in our cars, who sleep in clean, safe places are better off that literally billions of people. We are rich, we just can’t see it.

Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water, describes his experience this way:

I traded my spacious midtown loft for a 150-square-foot cabin with bunk beds, roommates and cockroaches. Fancy restaurants were replaced by a mess hall feeding 400+ Army style. A prince in New York, now I was living in close community with 350 others. I felt like a pauper.

But once off the ship, I realized how good I really had it. In new surroundings, I was utterly astonished at the poverty that came into focus through my camera lens. Often through tears, I documented life and human suffering I’d thought unimaginable. In West Africa, I was a prince again. A king, in fact. A man with a bed and clean running water and food in my stomach.

Groups like Charity: Water, which builds wells, or DonorsChoose.org which helps fund classrooms in the US take donations in any amount. You don’t have to have $500 to donate, you can give $5 or a single dollar and dollar by dollar,  it adds up.

Back in August American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert challenges his fans to donate to DonorsChoose instead of giving him gifts. I don’t know what he expected, but in just 30 days, almost 2000 donors raised over $200,000. Most of the fans participating were young, were students or young adults still paying back student loans.

They funded band programs and dance programs, they bought paint and glue and scissors. They bought even bought pencils. (Yes, there are schools in the US where the students lack pencils.) It all adds up. If you ever need a pick-me-up, read the thank you letters the teachers have posted on the site.

Together, everyone’s little bit can do much. It can change the world. Who’s world will your $5 change? It just might be your own.

Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)

Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means “to wail, to cry aloud,” as if Jesus counseled the disciples, “Don’t freak out when bad stuff happens.”

“See to it…” Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. “See to it that you fill out the reports.” Or “Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work.” The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn’t this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge’-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.

But Christ says to us, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (NIV)
“Keep your head and don’t panic” (MSG)
“See that you are not troubled” (NKJV)

And remember: “All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), and birth pangs aren’t all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The doctor assures the mom-to-be, “It’s going to hurt for a time, but it’s going to get better.” Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity’s clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!

Question: Some news reports say the economy has started to turn around … have you experienced economic “relief”, or are you still waiting?

About this Author: Max Lucado

Homeless Jesus & the Holy Spirit
The concept of welcoming Christ into our hearts and lives is presented early on in the Christian journey. We are often quoted Christ’s welcome from Revelations 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” So we take that first step and open the front door to Jesus. But what happens afterwards? With time, we show Jesus around, but do we treat him like a tentative guest or does he get to move in and make himself completely at home in our lives? Watch the video.

Take action: Be prepared for when difficult or trying times come (if they aren’t here already). Try our online interactive study series Suiting up for Battle which explores the apostle Paul’s inspired instructions Ephesians 6.

You said it: This week Kathy shared on the Spiritual Family Financial Goals women’s devotional, saying “I live alone, but this is a truly wonderful devotion at a time in my life. I guess God knew what I really needed! I also forwarded it to my best friend who is also going through some financial difficulties.” Join the conversation on TheLife.com Devotional for Men and TheLife.com Devotional for Women, each updated daily!

Experience TheLife Blog: The Ridiculousness of Forgiveness
The ridiculousness of God’s idea of forgiveness is that it not only frees me from the shackles of vengeance but it directs its attention outward as an extension of grace. Discuss on the Experience Blog! Read more

Devotional: We Know God’s Truth Through Jesus Christ
The Bible says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Truth is not a principle. Truth is a person; truth is Jesus Christ. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “The Heart’s Battlefield” Join us in the chat room August 24th 2009 @ 7:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

Serving and giving are two verbs that describe the essence of the Christian life. I wish this weren’t true because I have trouble with both of these. Serving is something I have expected others to do for me, and giving is something I often put off until I have more. My warped thinking goes something like this: When I have enough to spare, I will be more than happy to be a generous person. You will never have seen such a generous person! In fact, I will break the bank on generosity – just you wait and see – as long as I have enough left over for my needs. And since I rarely have enough for my own needs that means I don’t have to worry about this giving stuff.

Right about now, some of you are thinking that I’m not a very spiritual guy. Well, I don’t know about how spiritual I am; I’m just being honest. This idea of characterizing my life by giving and serving is hard. It’s not an easy thing to serve and give when you are thinking about yourself all the time.

Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

This widow blows a big hole in my excuse theory, doesn’t she? She simply gave what she had. She wasn’t waiting for anything. Actually, according to Jesus, giving and receiving works opposite to what we naturally think. We think, “Once I receive, I will start giving.” Jesus always said, “Give and you will receive. Be faithful with the little that you have and I will give you more.”

A widow once brought a paltry little offering to the temple, but in Jesus’ economy, she out gave the wealthy, because she gave all she had.

Lord, make the subject of my thinking someone other than me for a change. Make me aware of others. Help me to think about those around me before I think of myself. And help me to learn to give, not like the great philanthropists whose wealth I so often envy, but like this poor widow, who, according to you, knew the true measure of giving.

Question: What are some ways that you can encourage yourself to give more freely?

About this Author: John Fischer