Happiness Keys

"If you know these things." John 13:17 AMP

One of the blessings the framers of the constitution tried to ensure that we could all have is, the pursuit of happiness. We sure do pursue it in interesting and crazy ways. Something profound hit me about this promise. It's only the pursuit that is promised!! The picture of a dog chasing his tail rushes to my mind. I believe they knew that it would be impossible for men to bring about happiness. It seems to me, it is a promise that must lead to God. In that light, I thought I would share a few things that I hope will help us live in happiness.

If you want God's best, don't just think about how to invest your money, think about how to invest your life. Jesus said, "If you know these things...happy...are you if you...[do them]." Living this way means:

(1) Making time for friends and loved ones. "Let no one seek his own, but each...the other's well-being" (1Co 10:24 NKJV). George Eliot wrote: "Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away."

(2) Giving thanks. If you can't be grateful for what God has given you, look around you and be grateful for what He's protected you from. The enemy doesn't have to steal anything from you, just make you take it for granted. "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another" (Jn 1:16 NIV). The excitement of a new car or a salary increase soon passes, but anytime you stop to count your blessings you start feeling better.

(3) Practicing contentment. A gardener who'd tried everything to get rid of dandelions wrote to the Department of Agriculture for help. "What can I try next?" he asked. "Try getting used to them!" came the reply. In life, you get what you focus on! That's why Paul writes, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Php 4:8 NLT).

In a famous authors words, "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Be Blessed and Happy.....