The Keys To A Happy Life

In the world today there is so much stress and unhappiness. Just turn on the news for a few minutes and try to find something that is good in what you hear. The police shows of today can be a major stress creator too.

It is obvious this is nothing new under the Sun. King Solomon in Proverbs 12:25 writes;

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.

I can’t think of a time that after watching the police/FBI type of shows I felt all light and happy. They create stress and many times even though they catch the bad guy, you are left feeling burdened. Needless to say, if they make it a two part show the stress seems to double.

Think of a time you were having a terrible day. The phone rings and it is a good friend that just called to see how you were doing. They give you a word of encouragement. It is like you are refueled and ready to take on the world once more.

In her book “A Mary Like Me”, Andy Lee talks about intentional worship and how it changes the heart in chapter 13. When you are focused on the Lord in worship it will make your heart glad. Turn on the Christian radio stations and start praising the Lord. Most of them you can find online. So the word here is worship.

There are many things that can cause a broken spirit. Mean words, a death of a dear one, job loss, and the list goes on…. Once the downward spiral of depression hits sometimes it is hard to see the way out. You can even feel it eating into your bones. Proverbs 17:22 tells us;

A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

One way to make your heart happy is to start a daily log of at least 5 things that you are thankful for and praise God for them. Next, a joyful mind can be done in two ways. One going back to the word from the previous verse, worship. The other way is found in Philippians 4:8-9;

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Don’t think that you can decide to start thinking about what Paul says in verse 8 and be an expert over night. Did you see the word practice? Yes, we have to practice what we think about.

The way to having a happy life is to practice worship daily. You may not be going out for the worship team at church, but it helps to keep your mind focus on the Lord. So turn up the Christian music and worship while you work. Maybe the dwarfs just use the wrong W-word in Snow White.