“Comfort, comfort My people… Speak tenderly from the heart to revive those in Jerusalem, and proclaim that their warfare is over. Her debt of sin is paid for, and she will not be treated as guilty. Prophesy to her that she has received from the hand of Yahweh twice as many blessings as all her sins.” Whether we live in Jerusalem or some other place, Isaiah’s words are remarkably relevant today. Speak COMFORT to REVIVE God’s people. Speak TRUTH that the WAR was already won, thanks to Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s faithful followers are not the cause of all this world’s problems — but we are part of the solution. So let’s cheer up. In times like these some might think it is a sin to be happy. Our song “Gracious To Give” challenges that idea and shines a light on the path to happiness, rejoicing and VICTORY. Please give it a sing-along listen and come back for more as we pour up a cup of glad tidings. 😊

A happiness catch-22 and keys to calmness

The term “catch 22” comes from Joseph Heller’s satirical novel “Catch-22”. Catch-22 is a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. For example, a person might need to have experience to get a job, but he needs the job to get the experience. No experience so no job — no job so no experience. Catch-22.

The happiness catch-22 might go something like this:
I want to be happy so I am learning about God.
As I learn about God I learn to recognize His goodness and holiness.
As I learn to recognize God’s goodness and holiness I perceive more evil in this world.
As I perceive more evil in this world, I find it impossible to be happy.

Can’t get a job, and can’t be happy. These catch-22’s make sense, yes?

NO!!!! Can’t be!!!

Quick — go back to that definition. “…because of contradictory rules or limitations.” Even if WE cannot figure out how to move ahead, God can.

As much as the enemy wants to wrap our heads in weeds and tries to make us feel bound up and bummed out, God is ALWAYS able and willing to do us MUCH BETTER than the enemy and his twisted ideas ever will.

It turns out God handed us the keys to fire up a better frame of mind. He hung those keys on hooks with names like “think, consider, turn your eyes, meditate, reflect.” Ever feel like you are being mobbed by a swarm of experts telling you what you need to think — or do — or purchase? Turn down those voices by thinking instead of God — how He rescued us, comforts us, provides for us, coaches us, guards us . . . — think on these things. God is good.

Consider.

Reflect.

Ahhhhhh.

Why the Dead Sea is dead and keys to fullness

I was taught that the reason the Dead Sea is dead is because it only receives and retains water — but it has no outlets to release.

That is a tremendous lesson. It suggests another set of God-given keys for our well-being.

People, too, can become stagnant when they have no outlets. God’s key: If we want to receive the good things God makes available to us, one sure-fire thing we can do is to grow our giving. It works for happiness, prosperity and certainly for ministry. As our song says, “♫ Remember the Lord is gracious to give ♫.”

We can imitate the Lord and be gracious to give, too. Receive, give, receive, give. It’s a good way of life.

A happiness* plan – receive, retain, release

(*I’ve heard it said happiness is not much of a goal because happiness is flighty — it comes and goes as circumstances change. The teaching on this asserts “joy” is different and better. I’m not taking that conversation on here. Just using “happiness” in a general sense as a good thing which — for our conversation — can include joy.)

Want to be happy? Let’s summarize the plan using three words: receive, retain, release.
1. Receive happiness. Be clear that it is okay to be happy. Be willing to receive it.
2. Retain good thoughts about God’s works. Chew less — and less — and less on the world’s works.
3. Release to others the good, true happy thoughts God has given you to remember. Don’t be a dead end like the Dead Sea.

Receive and remember God’s comfort and peace.
Share it with someone.
Repeat.
Ahhh . . . . . .!!!

That’s the plan this song sketches. This song is simple, repetitive, light. Don’t let that cause you to miss the power it packs. It was built pocket-size so you can carry it with you in your back pocket and reach for it the next time you find too much is demanded of your attention and your joy is below a quarter of a tank.

Remember …
1. God’s Word and works are LOADED with things to be happy about twenty-four/seven.
2. Never completely forget about being happy.

“Comfort, comfort My people… Speak tenderly from the heart to revive …” Isaiah nailed it. Be gracious to give.

God bless you lots!
-Dale R. 😁

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS: Gracious To Give
Song by Dale Reichel (2021)

If happiness seems to forget you a bit
Never completely forget about it
Remember God saved us
From ending as dust
Remember He cleansed us
He’s good, He’s just

Chorus
Catch His comfort and peace today
Keep some for yourself, give a lot away
Living with lack is no way to live
Remember the Lord is gracious to give

If happiness seems to forget you a bit
Never completely forget about it
Remember His comfort 
That comes from above
Remember His healing
Remember His love

If happiness seems to forget you a bit
Never completely forget about it
Speak of His comfort
That comes from above
Speak of His healing
Speak of His love

Your thoughts, please?

Are you okay with being happy? Please share in the “Leave a reply” section below.

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Recording originally posted March 12, 2021. Reposted unchanged October 7, 2022. Reposted with revised article April 19, 2024.