When I was teaching English in the University in T, I developed a lesson on “the Seven Secrets of Happiness.” These are true for everyone. You will note that they are biblical principles and therefore profitable if we implement them.
Happiness is tied to our circumstances while joy is tied to our God. We can choose happiness by applying these seven secrets. And we can choose joy by trusting God: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, so that your life may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. Let us choose both.
I will give you a couple of the Seven Secrets of Happiness each day for a while. Try them and see what a difference it makes in your outlook.
1. Count your blessings:
Have an attitude of gratitude. It is so natural to think about what we don’t have. In contrast, each of us has many good things in our lives that we never think about: sight, hearing, hands that work marvelously and feet that support us, to name a few.
Each morning the sun comes up; each night it gets dark giving us time to rest. Most here have clothes to wear and food to eat along with a place to sleep. Most of us can read and write. Most of us have some friends, the ability to share with them.
Each of us have something that we are good at. And the list goes on. When you are tempted to complain, tell yourself ten things you are thankful for.
2. Compare down:
It is natural to compare ourselves with those better off than we are. If I have a bicycle, I compare myself to the person who has a car. If I have a Chevy, I look at the man who has a Mercedes, if I have middle range job, I look to the person who is an executive.
However, if we do the opposite, comparing down, comparing ourselves with those worse off, then we get a much better perspective. Look at those living in Afghanistan or Sudan or Syria who have lost everything.
Look at the person with no feet, or no sight, or no hearing.
When you are unhappy about the weather, think of the person living in India where the temperature in 130 degrees with much humidity, no air conditioning and often there is no electricity to run any fans. 90 doesn’t seem that bad a temperature!
Comparing down brings perspective and should stimulate us to be thankful for what we have, reinforcing an attitude of gratitude.
, which leads us to happiness. Give it a try.
Choose the happiness God has for you!
