'TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE (2)' BY DAVE WILLIS.

We all want to be happy, but for most of us, happiness is just this elusive “feeling” we’re trying to create but we don’t know how to keep it. What if there was a proven path to true and sustained joy? What if happiness is something much more than a fleeting feeling that comes and goes and it’s really a sustained joy that could be present through even the most difficult parts of life?

There really are some “rules” that can create true happiness. I’ve paid close attention to the lives of the happiest people I know and I’ve measured their lifestyles against the timeless truths of Scripture which provides the ultimate roadmap for discovering purpose and joy. There is a roadmap to happiness and I call it *The Ten Rules for a Happy Life.

If you want to be happier, please do the following ten things (in no particular order)…

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5. Don’t take yourself too seriously: You’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself. Don’t try to be impressive; just be real! There’s nothing more impressive than authenticity. Remember that God never told you to impress people; only to love them. Loving others is much easier when we’re not always trying to appear a certain way.

6. Don’t take your mission too lightly: While we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously we should take our mission very seriously. Our “missions” have to do with the jobs we do that are bigger than ourselves (like raising kids, sharing our faith, working to provide for a family, etc.). Those tasks can and should still be fun as much as possible, but we can’t take those responsibilities lightly. Working hard at the right things leads to happiness and a legacy reflecting a life well-lived.

7. Choose a positive attitude even in negative circumstances: You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can always control your attitude. Choose to have a good one. Choose to see the best in every situation. In Philippians 4:8, the Bible commands us to focus our thoughts on the positive. This isn’t just blindly choosing optimism or the “power of positive thinking,” but it’s a conscious choice to let the change start within us that we hope to see around us.

8. Pray when you feel like worrying: 

Prayer doesn’t have to be a cold, mindless ritual. God invites us into a life-giving, life-changing conversation with Himself. Prayer reminds us that God is with us, He is for us and He is bigger than whatever we’re facing. Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it can always change our perspective!

9. Give thanks when you feel like complaining: The act of venting or complaining doesn’t actually make us feel better. It gives us the temporary illusion of feeling better, but then we quickly feel worse than we felt before. Gratitude is God’s remedy for negativity. When you feel like complaining, start thanking Him for all the blessings in your life. You’ll discover that it’s nearly impossible to be thankful and stressed at the same time.

10. Keep going when you feel like quitting: When you feel like giving up and when things seem “impossible,” KEEP GOING. Perseverance isn’t just on the path to happiness; it IS the path to happiness! Don’t let setbacks derail you. Don’t let discouragement get you sidetracked. Keep going. Stay the course. God is with you and there are great days ahead!

BLESSINGS

DAVE WILLIS.