As we discussed in “Diagnosing Unhappiness,” people are more unhappy and unfulfilled than ever, despite all of the supposed reasons why that should not be the case. For students of the Word of God, this is not at all surprising.
Over and over again in the Bible we see what I like to call, the law of opposite actions. For example, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) He also said, “…whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Jesus also tells us to, bless those who curse us and to pray for those who spitefully use us. (Matthew 5:44)
Although all of this seems counter-intuitive we easily see in our daily lives that the non-biblical approach doesn’t take us where we think it should. If we want our life to work out right, we need to follow the instructions of the One that gave us life.
If you are serious about finding happiness, follow God’s Word and do things His way. Here are a few places to start. We will start with four today and conclude with four more next time.
RELEASE RIGHTS
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 ESV)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-13 ESV)
CHANGE FOCUS
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 ESV)
COUNT / RECOUNT BLESSINGS
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.” (Psalm 103:2-5)
“… always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20 NIV)
“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” (Psalm 105:1 NLT)
REPLACE FEAR WITH FAITH
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation” (Psalm 42:5 ESV)
“There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them” (Psalm 53:5 ESV)
Don’t wait on the next installment. Pick a few of these and get started today. Don’t delay greater happiness!
U R Blessed!
Rodney