How To Be Happy- Part 2, Loving God

Review

To summarize Part 1, we are happy when we truly connect with God, ourselves and others. This is because the natural consequence of connecting with God, ourselves, and others is more light of Christ in our lives as well as a viable social and cultural life with purpose, adventure, stimulation, attachment, identity, belonging. Let’s look at how these things come about by loving God.

Happiness in Loving God

In God we find our most important identity. We are His children. Also, our most important purpose is also found in God. It is this, He wants us to help Him bless others and bring them to His Son. In practicing religion I find belonging in my church, purpose in serving, and strong cultural and social life. God wants us to feel great attachment (affection and fondness) to Him. As I learn about and worship God with my family and church I also feel a deeper attachment with them.

Constant Connection

We can have a constant stream of love from God to us. Unlike our other relationships, He is always available to us. “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me” (D&C 88:63); “they may always have his Spirit to be with them,” (Moroni 4:3); “if ye do this ye shall always be filled with the love of God,” (Mosiah 4:12).

The Unique Power Of Love in Christ

God’s greatest show of love to us was giving us His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). His sacrifice to save us from death and sin was filled with love. When we realize how much Christ loved us in taking our suffering on Himself it motivates us to follow Him. Because of His atonement we can all be forgiven and find the strength to forgive others.

Ways to Connect with God

the gospel of jesus christ

The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us how to love God, ourselves, and others. In fact, entering into and keeping covenants with Christ is the most effective way to connect with God ourselves and others.

Have Faith

Because God is perfect we can trust Him perfectly. “God is love.” (1 John 4:16) Having faith in God (trusting Him) is part of loving Him. We can trust God’s will, wisdom, and timing. I believe everything is happening for us, not to us. All bad will be turned into something good for us as we exercise faith. (“Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good,” D&C 90:24) We can trust that He will compensate for all our pain and loss. Everything will work out in the end. (And if it hasn’t worked out yet— that means it’s not the end yet.)

Keep Commandments and Repent

We show God we love Him by keeping the commandments (John 14:15), repenting, and seeking guidance from Him each day. “Wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10) When we repent we are reconciled (to restore harmony) with God. “…we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10) “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.” (2 Nephi 10:24)

Give God Our Will

Giving our will to Him and dedicating our lives to Him are acts of love on our part. In my post Codependency and Joy In My Posterity I talk about the natural man and the spiritual man. The natural man is self-seeking, anxious, and rebellious. The spiritual man is one that seeks God’s will and takes the Spirit as his guide, living by the Spirit. When we overcome the natural man we live by the Spirit instead of by our own flesh. We also live by God’s will instead of our will. (I also talk about this in my post Feel Like a Good Mom, No Guilt.)

Spend Time With Him

Prayer, meditation, study, and worship services can help us connect with God and seek His guidance. This is loving God and we will feel His love through his Spirit as we do these things humbly. Worship also invites his power into our lives. Praying for the Lord’s help and for charity will make the biggest difference in our lives. All of our best efforts are like a drop in the ocean compared to His grace and what He does for us. But He does want our best efforts, our whole heart. Even at work or doing daily chores we can continually talk to God and be mindful of His blessings. Doing so invites His Spirit to be with you.

Enjoy His Creations

The natural world around us also shows us God’s love. No matter how separated from God we feel this gift is always available to us. “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good” (Matthew 5:45). When we take the time to be outside and appreciate nature our thoughts are often lifted toward Divinity. We feel the peace of His Spirit. Observe the beauty of trees, flowers, landforms, and the sky.

Interact with and care for animals. Our capacity to love grows and our lives are enriched by the animals we care for.

All of God’s creations are connected by the light of Christ which is in and through everything. “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.” (D&C 88:6-7)

Recognize and Be Grateful for Blessings

Appreciating and praising Him for everything we have is another way to receive His love and be happy. Even in our most difficult times we have much to be grateful for. Every breath we breathe is from Him. It brings me great peace to have a prayer of gratitude going on in my mind throughout the day. I thank him for whatever is happening and for whatever I see.

Conclusion

God’s love is extended to all of us and He waits for us to receive it. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20) As we connect daily and continuously we will increase the light of Christ in our lives. In addition, feeling His love for us makes us more capable of loving ourselves and others.