"Some people do not know what they want, but they are certain they don't have it." What a miserable person is the one who is incapable of being happy with what he has or what he is doing. The grumbler or constant complainer has never learned the meaning of contentment; hence, he is deprived of real joy in life.

Men crave happiness and pursue it with all their power, but most are not finding it. Happiness is a state of mind, which environment cannot seriously affect. The condition of happiness is within us. Happiness cannot be purchased with money, or by heaping up material possessions. The beggar can be as happy as the wealthy, and the fool as contented as the wise. People and things do not make a person happy; only the person can make himself happy or unhappy.

The key to happiness is so simple. It comes through having the right attitude toward life. Paul gave us God's formula for happiness in this life and the life to come. "Rejoice in the Lord always," and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7). Our purpose in this study is to examine God's formula for happiness.

1) BE POSITIVE IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE
"Rejoice in the Lord always"

We should have a positive outlook on life, look for the good, and not the evil, in the world around us. We need to look for the good in everyone and every situation. Every cloud has a silver lining, but sometimes we have to search in order to find it. There are so many good things in this world; we all need to train our eyes to see them.

Count your blessings. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19). Counting my blessings, instead of my supposed misfortunes, enables me to see how well off I really am, instead of how bad I may think I am. We must emphasize the positive, and not the negative, in our lives. If I'm thankful for what I have, I am not so apt to fret about what I do not have. Count your benefits instead of your reverses, and you will be surprised at the improvement in your efficiency and personality.

2) SHOW GENTLENESS TOWARD ALL MEN
"Let your moderation be known unto all men"

A Christian should cultivate an outgoing personality. The secret of his happiness is not confined within the walls of his own life and reflection. We cannot be truly happy without striving to be a blessing to others. Moderation in this verse carries with it the idea of kindness, gentleness, consideration, charitableness, and generosity. The real meaning of this verse is that if we want true happiness in this life, we must be ready to do good unto all men (Galatians 6:10). We have only one life to live upon this earth. We must do as much good as we can, in the time we have allotted to us. If we make it to heaven, we must take others with us. The Christian must always practice the golden rule (Matthew 7:12).

3) LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME
"The Lord is at hand"

We should live everyday to the fullest. I should live everyday as though it were my last day on earth. We have no guarantee of life expectancy upon this earth. Jesus Christ could return at any moment, and life and the world as we know it would end. Our personal lives could also end without warning. People die tragic and unexpected deaths every day. One of God's secrets to happiness is to live each day to the fullest.

Eternity will be filled with people who would give anything for one more opportunity to obey God's will. We need to obey God now, while we have time and opportunity. The best preparation any person can make for tomorrow is to do what needs to be done today!

4) DON'T WORRY, PRAY!
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer... let your request be made known unto God"

The Lord is saying "don't worry." Worry is a thought process, and to a great extent, is just a learned habit. People worry about the past, things that have already happened. How futile! One should never saw sawdust. Worrying about the past is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube. Past deeds cannot be undone. If the past involves sin, then we must make correction before God and then forget it.

People also worry about the future, things that may never happen. Most people carry around more baggage than they need for their journeys through this life. We cannot control the future, so we must just take life as it comes. If we trust in God, there is no need to worry about the past, present, or future. The cure for worry is prayer. God, as a loving father, takes care of all who are his children. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord. And he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22).

The faithful child of God has the privilege of praying to an omniscient Father who is sensitive to his every need. Life has its complications. There are many problems that seem to defy solution, and in time, we will be pressed beneath them, unless we learn to shift them to the Lord.

THE RESULT: PEACE
"The peace of God...shall keep your hearts"

Those who will faithfully follow God's will and his formula for happiness are promised peace of mind, or true happiness. This peace is a contentment that comes from God. A person who is in a right relationship with God has nothing to fear from God now, or in eternity. The person who is right with God also has nothing to fear from man, because God, as his loving father, will see to the provision of all his needs. "Be content with such things as ye have: for he (God) hath said; I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5,6). This peace does not come from drugs, alcohol, recreation, or material possessions. This is a peace that the world cannot understand. It can only come to those who love God and follow his will. Do you have this kind of peace and contentment in your life? If we can assist you with your problems and cares of this life or your relationship with God, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist anyone. God desires for Christians to be the happiest people on earth.