How to be happy? 🤔

"I will be happy when I get married and have children."

"I will be happy when I have my own house."

"I will be happy when I get that job."

“I will be happy when. . . ”

ARE you like that? When you reach your goal or get something you want, will you be happy forever? Or will it gradually disappear as well? These things are really fun, but they are only temporary. Lifelong happiness is not just because of what we have achieved or the things we have achieved. Instead, as with good health, true happiness comes in many forms. We are not the same. What makes you happy may not make others happy.

We also change as we get older. But there are things that prove to be really fun in life. For example, contentment, unselfishness, love for others, and being positive and steadfast bring true happiness. Let's see why.

1. BE SATISFIED “Money is a protection,” said one scholar who studied human nature. But he also said: “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income. It is also pointless. ” (Ecclesiastes 5:10; 7:12) His point? We need money to live, but we must not be greedy, because greed has no pleasure! Writer King Solomon of ancient Israel tested whether wealth and luxury would bring true happiness.

“Whatever my eyes desired, I did not turn away from them,” he said. “I did not hold back my heart from any sort of rejoicing.” - Ecclesiastes 1:13; 2:10. With great wealth, Solomon built great houses, built beautiful parks and reservoirs, and had many helpers.

Everything he wants, he gets. What did he learn? He was happy, but that did not last long. “Here! all is vanity and a striving after wind. ”he said. He even hates life! (Ecclesiastes 2:11, 17, 18) Yes, he learned that the pursuit of pleasure is not pleasurable. * Is that still true of Solomon? An article in the Journal of Happiness Studies states that "after satisfying one's basic needs, any extra money will not add to one's happiness." Yes, tests show that materialism, in exchange for a clean moral relationship with God, robs us of happiness.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Let your manner of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things.” - Hebrews 13: 5. 2. DO NOT BE JEALOUS Envy is the "pain or resentment that one feels for the visible advantage of another, along with the desire to be the same." Like a tumor, envy affects one's life and robs one of happiness. How can envy start? How can we say we are jealous? And how can we resist it? The Encyclopedia of Social Psychology says that people tend to be jealous of those who are like them, perhaps because of their age, experience, or social status. For example, a salesman may not be jealous of a famous actor. But he might be jealous of a salesman like him who lifts him up. For example, some high-ranking officials in ancient Persia were jealous, not of the king, but of an official named Daniel. So annoyed with Daniel, they even plotted to kill him! But they failed. (Daniel 6: 1-24) “It is important to see what envy can do,” says the encyclopedia. "This explains why envy is associated with so many cases of violence." * Envy can affect a person's ability to enjoy good things How can you say you are jealous? Ask yourself: 'When a colleague succeeds, am I happy or disgusted? When my brother, a smart classmate, or a coworker makes a mistake, do I feel sad or unhappy? ’If your answer is“ disgusted ”and“ glad, ”you may be jealous. (Genesis 26: 12-14) “Envy can affect a person's ability to enjoy good things and to lose appreciation for the many gifts of life. . . . Such a trend will not bring happiness, ”says the Encyclopedia of Social Psychology.

We can resist envy if we become truly humble. This will help us to appreciate the abilities and qualities of others. The Bible says: “Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind consider that the others are superior to you.” - Philippians 2: 3. BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.” - Galatians 5:26. 3. LOVE OTHERS “People's feelings about others have a greater impact on their lives than on their job, income, community, or even their health,” says the book Social Psychology. In other words, for people to be truly happy, they must love and be loved. “If. . . I have no love, I am nothing, ”said one Bible writer. — 1 Corinthians 13: 2. It's not too late. For example, Vanessa's father was abusive and alcoholic. When Vanessa was 14, she ran away and lived with a different family and an orphanage in a bad situation so she prayed to God to help her. Then, perhaps in response to her prayers, she was placed in a family that adheres to the Bible's admonition that “love is long-suffering and kind.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4) As a result of this and the things he was learning from the Bible, his grievances subsided and his mind gradually drifted. "At school, my grades that used to be D and F became A and B," he said. Vanessa still remembers what she went through. But now he is happy with his wife and two daughters. BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.” - Colossians 3:14.

4. BE STRONG AND POSITIVE Who has no problem? As the Bible says, there is “a time to weep” and “a time to weep.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 4) If we are steadfast, we will face trials. Let's look at the experience of Carol and Mildred. Carol has spinal problems, diabetes, sleep apnea, and macular degeneration that blinds her left eye. But he said: “I do not hold back from giving up. I also feel sorry for myself. But I take that out of my mind and thank God for the things I can still do, especially for others. ” Mildred also suffers from many diseases such as arthritis, breast cancer, and diabetes. But like Carol, she does not focus on her problems. “I learned to love and comfort the sick, who helped me,” she says. "Honestly, when I comfort others, I forget about my own problems."

They are both interested in getting medical treatment. But they did not focus on that, but on their attitude and their use of their time. So they are happy and no one can take it away. Many also love them and are inspired by those who experience trials.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life.” - James 1:12.

When applied, Bible wisdom becomes “a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.” (Proverbs 3: 13-18) Why not find that out by applying Bible wisdom? After all, the Author of this sacred book, called “the happy God,” wants you to be happy too. — 1 Timothy 1:11.

Have a Right View of Mistakes When strong people make mistakes.

They do not blame themselves, saying "I have done nothing wrong" or "I am worthless." The Bible says: “A crushed spirit drives away the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) The book The Power of Resilience says that if you want to be strong, you must recognize that it is only natural to make mistakes and fail. . . It is up to you how you deal with them. ”

“Show Yourselves Thankful”

That wise counsel can be found at Colossians 3:15! Studies show that if we focus on the good things in our lives and appreciate the kindness shown to us, we will be happier.

#November 18 2020

#WEDNESDAY(MORNING)