Principles for Happiness

1.  Be Content.  The Apostle Paul stated, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).  True happiness can only be found in being content with what you have and where you are.

2.  Love Others.  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).  Until we learn to love other people who are created in the image of God, we will not really be happy.

3.  Be a Faithful Christian.  Unless one is a faithful child of God he will not have real happiness in his life.  This is especially true in the difficult times.  One example of this is seen in a prison in the city of Philippi.  Paul and Silas had been put in prison for being faithful to God and His Word.  Yet, we see they were able to rejoice even in a dark foreign dungeon.  “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).

            Dear friend, if you are going to have real happiness in this life, it will only come when we learn to be content with what we have and stop striving for more and more.  Happiness will only come to you when you learn to love other people as yourself (Mk. 12:30ff).  And, happiness will be yours when you are a faithful child of God.  May God help each of us to apply these principles for true happiness!