While reading a framed picture of “Secrets to Happiness” on my mother-in-law’s bathroom wall, I was bothered by the fact that hardly any of them had to do with seeking God. This prompted me to make my own list of keys to happiness because without God, I can’t even imagine how anyone could ever be truly happy. May you take each one and use them to open the way to the joyous, adventurous life God went to extreme measures for you to have. These keys have kept me splashing on the beach of life, totally protected, despite the fact that our enemy lurks in the water like “Jaws” attempting to steal, kill, and destroy. But when I spot that dorsel fin sticking out of the water, heading my way, I hit him in the nose with the truth of God’s word. He swims away.
The Listening Heart’s 10 Keys to Happiness:
1. Spend time alone with Jesus listening through his Word—Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live (Isaiah 55:3).
2. Get up early and spend time praying in nature—Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35).
3. Feel the power of praying with others—For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).
4. Remember you will never be left alone or forgotten—because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
5. Practice forgiveness (even on yourself), God’s gift for keeping your soul healthy—Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).
6. Confess your sins; doing so will lead you in the right direction—Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).
7. Remain accountable to fellow believers at all times—But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13).
8. Give something away without wanting anything in return—It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
9. Demonstrate random acts of kindness—Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
10. Study and live out the believer’s blueprint for victory found in 2 Timothy 2:1-26 and become a vessel of noble purposes—In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
The Listening Heart’s 10 Keys to Happiness:
1. Spend time alone with Jesus listening through his Word—Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live (Isaiah 55:3).
2. Get up early and spend time praying in nature—Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35).
3. Feel the power of praying with others—For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).
4. Remember you will never be left alone or forgotten—because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
5. Practice forgiveness (even on yourself), God’s gift for keeping your soul healthy—Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).
6. Confess your sins; doing so will lead you in the right direction—Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).
7. Remain accountable to fellow believers at all times—But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13).
8. Give something away without wanting anything in return—It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
9. Demonstrate random acts of kindness—Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
10. Study and live out the believer’s blueprint for victory found in 2 Timothy 2:1-26 and become a vessel of noble purposes—In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
A happy Christian is not a person without adversity, but he or she stays with the winning coach on the winning team, permanently. This knowledge will remain our source of joy and peace forever.
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