How to Live a Happier Life
There’s no perfect life, but there’s a perfect God. God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and all he does comes from the depth of his love. It’s God’s perfect love that fills the vacuum in our lives and where we discover how to live a happy life.
Andrew Murray states “if we have been created in the image and likeness of God, we can find our happiness in nothing except that in which God finds His happiness. The more like Him we are the happier.” (The Master's Indwelling, iBooks)
Have you ever thought that God is happy? Happy means to be delighted, pleased, or glad in something or someone. Everything God sees and created is good. Genesis 1
We discover lasting happiness when we know God personally and intimately and learn what it means to live a life in perfect unity with him. John 17:22-24
Take time to listen to T.D. Jakes brief message with some basic tools, How to Live a Happier Life.
I think the most important point he makes is to “Make relationships count." Your first relationship is with God, “as long as you know somebody else is in charge, you don’t have to bear the brunt of the responsibility and the weight of what’s going on in your life. You can talk to the boss?”
Discovering genuine happiness is a life anchored in God’s Word. Don’t overlook the importance of scripture and how it can influence the way you behave. When you are determined to live a happier life, expect God to do a lot for you, but do your part. When we put the Word of God into practice, he shows us what changes are needed.
Here are some verses that can help you put a plan in place to change behavior:
Abide in God’s love: Abide means to “remain, continue, to dwell with him.” So often our days are filled dwelling on our careers, family, responsibilities, desires and dreams and even our troubles. How much do we dwell on God so that his love becomes complete in us? I John 4:11-12. John 15:10
Cultivate a lifestyle that is God-centered, not self-centered. A happy heart is one who finds the place the Lord dwells. When you see a happy, positive Christian, I’m certain it’s because they know what it means to make God their dwelling place. God dwells in everything and he isn’t an individual who sits alone in the heavens. One of the most important things you can do to live in God’s love is to make it a daily habit to remain seated in his presence. How and when do you find time to linger a little while longer in God’s love?
Remain positive: The spiritual condition of our heart is reflected in our behavior. An individual who has a bleak outlook on life doesn’t reflect the hope and joy that God has promised we can experience day-after-day. “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
Pray and praise: “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” James 5:13
When we put these two verbs into practice there is a spontaneous reaction that takes place within our spirits. Joy and happiness aren’t fleeting when we make prayer and praise an integral part of our day.
Love on others: “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
Encourage one another: “I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.” 2 Corinthians 7:4
Watch your tongue: Speak words of kindness. “For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies’.” I Peter 3:10
Share your testimony: Don’t let the enemy silence what God is doing in your life. When we are swept into God’s presence and seek to deepen our relationship with Christ, we are filled with kingdom stories of what God is doing in our lives. Tell people how God is guiding and filling you with hope, joy, and happiness. “Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” 3 John 1:3
Work together: “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
Endure persecution: We are living in a time of increased persecution to our Christian faith. Whether your Christianity is attacked directly or indirectly, be courageous: “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.” James 5:22-23
Put God’s instructions into practice: “Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28
Happiness is real when we discover that it comes from knowing who God is. When we experience the intensity of God’s being and affection, we are more apt to default to loving ourselves and loving others. The more we know God, the happier we will be. “Be happy,” but seek happiness in God first and foremost.
“Saint Francis of Assisi Prayer of Peace:
O Lord, make us instruments of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
”
Thumbnail photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash
