Our happiness is not dependent on circumstances. Rather, the basis of our happiness is our relationship with God.
“Let us not presume that we are entitled to everything. Nobody is entitled to anything. Whatever we have is a blessing from God.”
The basis our our happiness as His children is our loving relationship with Him. So no matter what circumstances we are in, we can be happy.
Why are some people not happy?
1. Problems
Let us remember that our God is almighty and in control of our lives. Everything
that happens to us is with His permission (Matthew 10:29-31). Moreover, He loves
us. He wants the best for us. Put these two together and we can be sure that
whatever circumstances we are in, God has a purpose in it.
2. Worry/Anxiety
Some people are often unhappy because of worries and anxieties. Worry or
anxiety is useless and only drains our lives of energy. The apostle Peter said,
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
3. Low self-image
Some are unhappy because people consider them ugly, dull, poor. But we should realize that we are made in God's image, that we are "wonderfully made" , and
that we are God's precious children. Hence human worth is not and should not be
based on physical appearance, possessions, achievements, or public acclaim.
Being wonderfully made in God's image, and being His precious children, we
can feel good about ourselves. Let us not compare ourselves with others. Let us
not mind how others look at us. What really matters is how God looks at us.
4. Other reasons
Some people are no happy because they are discontented: they can't make both
ends meet; they have to live with or work with people they dislike; they are
assigned unpleasant tasks; they are jobless; they live in poor housing conditions;
they agitate for change for the progress of their country. It is natural for one to be
discontented because of these. But should we let these circumstances dictate our
state of peace and happiness?
First of all, we should identify the things that we can change and the things that we
can't. The things that we can change, we should try to change. The things that we
cannot change, let us learn to accept.
The Four Habits
It is only when our mind, body, spirit and outlook are in tune with what God wants that we can truly be happy. So consider these four habits.
Habit 1: Praise and worship God everyday.
Many of us spend all our working hours busy running around. But God wants us to spend time every day to be quiet before Him - contemplating His greatness, His love, His holiness. He wants us to pray and worship Him. When we gaze upon the person of God, we cannot help but lift our hearts in praise and worship. As we yield to God and praise and worship Him day by day, God is exalted in our life! Our spirits is renewed. God is pleased, and so are we. This is the first habit of happy living.
Habit 2: Fill your mind with positive thoughts all day long.
Filling our mind with positive thoughts requires conscious effort. We can look at any situation in two ways: positively or negatively. When we have learned to be content in whatever circumstances we are in, we can choose to be happy.
Make it a habit to appreciate people, count your blessings, acknowledge what God is doing in your life.
When we yield to God and feed our mind with positive thoughts day after day, our mind is renewed! God is pleased, and so are we. This, then, is the second habit of happy living.
Habit 3: Take care of our body through regular exercise and proper diet.
Are you exercising regularly? If not, you are not taking good care of your body.
Our bodily condition affects our mood, stamina, capacity for work, etc. Our mind, body and spirit are intertwined and affect each other.
When we take good care of our body through regular exercise and proper diet, we become healthy and attain a general sense of well being. Our body is renewed! God is pleased, and so are we. This then, is the third habit of happy living.
Habit 4: Be a blessing to someone everyday.
Many of us are preoccupied with ourselves. We want happiness, peace, security.... But the more we seek these, the more they elude us.
Now that our spirit, mind and body are renewed, we should turn our attention away from ourselves, and be a blessing to others. Ironically, it is only when we do so that the things we seek will in the end become ours.
When you lend a helping hand or say words of encouragement to someone, do you not see the glow in the person's face? That person's joy becomes your joy!
When we yield to God and are a blessing to someone each day, God is pleased, and so are we. This is the fourth habit of happy living.
Conclusion
The four habits mentioned above help us to grow in the likeness of God. When we obey and do it day after day, our spirit, mind, body and outlook become renewed. As we become what God intends us to be, God is pleased. And so are we. This in a nutshell is the secret of lasting happiness!