Treasure Hunt 2Намуна

Your Secret Power Gem

Hook

Do you want to be happy? Do you know the happiest people in the world all have a secret power gem? You want one too, right? Well, the power gem is to really see God’s world—It’s that simple.

God made an absolutely amazing world, and the more you really see it, the more you will feel happy. Really? Is it that easy? 

Well, think about God’s world…Did you know hippos can run faster than humans? Imagine a flabby, galloping hippo—LOL! And pandas are cute, but did you know that they poop fifty times a day?! Think of pooping pandas—LOL! 

Laughing is a happy feeling, and you are happy when things are going great—like when you have a great home, or you have awesome friends, or you’ve got good grades, or you’re holding a double-scoop ice cream cone of your favorite flavor.

But wait a minute…the power gem is not really about being happy, its much deeper. Of course, friends and good grades and ice cream can help you feel happy. But you can lose all those things! What then? 

That is the difference between just happiness and something deeper called; joy. We feel happy when things are fun and when things are good. But joy doesn’t need any of those things. You can lose all those things and still have joy, because joy is based on what will never change— God—our wonderful God.

Book

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!

Philippians 4:4 (NIRV)

Look

What are you told to do in this verse?

Duh! That’s easy right? Be joyful.

Doesn’t it seem odd though that we are commanded to be joyful?

Well, God is your Father, and He is a Good Father. Good fathers all have rules that are to protect their children. Little kids often do dangerous things. They put things in their mouths that they can choke on, or run with pencils, or try to cross the street alone. Having no rules would be really dangerous.

Most kids don’t like rules. But, hopefully, you are old enough to realize that behind every one of God’s rules or commands is a Father who knows what is best for you. Choosing to be joyful is really good for you! But how can you do that?

When you think about who God is, and what God has done, you have tons of reasons to be joyful. And every time you choose to be joyful, you get stronger. Joy is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets!

Took

Try exercising your joy muscle-- 

At every meal, take a few seconds to think of something you have learned about God that is reason to smile—then smile. Go ahead! Even if it feels fake, take a deep breath and smile! 

Yes, you have a few reasons not to smile, but then, when you really see God’s world, you have 100 billion reasons to smile.

That is your secret power gem—see God’s amazing world and choose joy.

BTW, you ROCK!

Dr. Andy