How to be Happy :)

Leon ♦ April 30, 2014 ♦ 1 Comment

Is there a key to being happy? What would any of us give to live a life where we woke up everyday, happy, and at peace? Happiness is a symptom of the soul. Outward stimulus can make us happy for a short period of time. Proverbs 14:13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;and the end of that mirth is heaviness. You see here, the bible states, sorrow and heaviness are the natural state of a man’s mind.  So how can we overcome this dismal state of affairs the proverb speaks of? Philippians 2:4-5   Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Jesus has a mind that is always happy and at peace, and he wants the same mind to be in us. Jesus did not look out for his own welfare, but rather for the welfare of others. True happiness comes from serving others, and not concentrating on ourselves. In this modern world we are led to believe, possessions and circumstances will bring us happiness. The end of this type of happiness quickly results in sorrow, and heaviness of heart. Serving others above and before ourselves is the first and most important key to happiness, and gives us a mind more like our Lord Jesus. I believe the second key is contentment. Being content with what we have is essential to a persons happiness, and peace. Luke 12:15 ¹⁵ And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Possessions will never bring true happiness. But contentment will. 1 Timothy 6:7-9For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Paul instructed Timothy to be content having food and clothing. It is the constant desire for things we do not have that brings sorrow, and a heavy heart. Ecclesiastes 6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. It is easy to want something we do not have. Lately I have been wanting less rain, and a warmer spring. This causes uneasiness in my soul, when I look at the forecast and see another week of rain, and cool weather. Ephesians 5:19-20 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote we should give thanks for all things. California is going thru a severe drought, and the people their would welcome this rain. If I am thankful for the rain, and thankful we do not have a drought, then I can learn to be happier with the weather we are having today. One time I drove to Dallas Texas, back  in 1978. They were having a severe heat wave. Our car did not have air conditioning, I recall a bank time and temperature sign, that read 106 degrees  at 6:30 pm. I would have given anything for a cool rainy day at that moment.  Finally, when we truly do have a need, lets ask God for his help in the matter, trusting he always wants what’s best for us. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. All things, in the end, are ours. Jesus has earned all things for us, and it is his good will to give them to us. Eternity, and the riches of the entire universe are ours, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; ²² whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; ²³ and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. When we come to a full realization, that all things truly are ours, what is there we really need, that God has not already provided for us through his son? And in the end even trials and tribulations are something to be thankful for. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³ but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Peter states we should rejoice even in the midst of a fiery trial. Lets be thankful for all things, content with what we have, and want for nothing, serving others, and we will begin to know true peace and happiness. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³ knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.