Opposite Happiness

We read the beattitudes today on the Daily /Audio Bible. How opposite these are from the world we live in, and the "blessed are those" that seem to be the natural way we find happiness. 

From the readalong site for today:

  3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    4 God blesses those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
    5 God blesses those who are humble,
      for they will inherit the whole earth.
    6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
      for they will be satisfied.
    7 God blesses those who are merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
    8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
      for they will see God.
    9 God blesses those who work for peace,
      for they will be called the children of God.
   10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

I sometimes get into "funks" where happiness eludes me. And as I review these, which are so much more than just good ideas, I see why. There's nothing in here about "blessed are the hard workers, for they shall be rewarded." That's simply not there. In fact, it's just the opposite: "blessed are those who are poor and realize their need for him."So today I'm jotting these down, both as a reminder and as a challenge to me to seek out true happiness. The kingdom looks like something so much different than what we'd make it be on our own, and I am so thankful for that.

Father, I invite you into today. Allow me to experience kingdom happiness today, to enjoy being part of the great story you are developing in me, and around me. I choose right not to smile. And to enjoy it.