A Powerful Key Truth that will Unlock the Secret to Happiness

If you were to poll people through the ages asking what they want most in life, I would imagine their top answer would be to learn what the secret to happiness is...

Is it a wonder why it's a secret?  Life certainly isn't always rainbows and sunshine now is it?

The Google dictionary definition of happy is:

feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

In today's post, we will discover a powerful key truth that will unlock the secret to happiness.

Drum roll please...

The powerful key truth that will unlock the secret to happiness isss:

TRUSTING GOD

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Today we will look at four areas where happiness can be a struggle and how remembering the above Truth from Jeremiah will unlock true happiness despite your circumstances.

Unlocking the Secret to Happiness when you are Unhappy with Yourself

I think every person can admit that at one time or another they were unhappy with themselves.  

Feeling this way might have been "deserved" because of something you had done that was not Christ-like or was out of character for you.

At other times you may be unhappy with yourself because you were looking at other people's lives and envying what they have feeling like a failure because you haven't attained those things.

You might be unhappy with yourself because of an inward turmoil or struggle that you have not been able to overcome.

Whatever the reason for your unhappiness with yourself, TRUST God for He will...

convict you and redirect you.

Your ears will hear a word behind you, 

"This is the way, walk in it," 

whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:21

remind you of ALL that you have and are in Christ Jesus

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

Ephesians 1:3

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

a people for his own possession, 

that you may proclaim the excellencies of him 

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

and comfort you. 

1 Peter 2:9

and strengthen you with His love

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

The secret to happiness when you are unhappy with yourself is to trust God and His Word concerning you.  For your Creator and Sustainer loves you with an everlasting love and has removed your sins as far as the East is from the West.  You are a child of God, a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Unlocking the Secret to Happiness when you are Unhappy in a Relationship

Over the years, I have read books on marriage and attended at least one marriage seminar.  The main take away seems to always be, "if you want to enjoy happiness in marriage, focus on improving yourself, not trying to fix your spouse"

I have tested this theory and it is indeed true.  When I am trusting the Lord and seeking Him to grow me as a Godly wife, my attitudes do change.  I am much happier and as a result my husband is  happier too.  Not only that, his behaviors respond in kind to my improved attitudes.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, 

as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

“Blessed are the merciful, 

for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

“Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins." 

1 Peter 4:8

Love bears all things, believes all things, 

hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:7

But what about the marriage that is in crisis, for whatever reason, some more serious than others, is it realistic to think that you can find happiness in that particular relationship?  

In some cases, through repentance, counseling and/or rehabilitation, true happiness in marriage can be achieved again.

Yet in the case where there is a non-repentant spouse or counseling isn't going as well as it should, your true happiness will only be found by seeking God for direction and trusting that the Lord will accomplish His plans and purposes in and through your marriage going forward, whatever that might look like.

When you focus on your relationship with God and trust Him to wholly take care of your situation, you will see yourself as the Bride of Christ.  For He cherishes and loves you eternally.  Meditate on this fact.  Trust it.  Believe it.  You will feel His love fill the unhappiness you have experienced and you will find your true happiness in God.

For your Maker is your husband—

    the Lord Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

    he is called the God of all the earth.

 The Lord will call you back

    as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—

a wife who married young,

    only to be rejected,” says your God.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you,

    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

In a surge of anger

    I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

    I will have compassion on you,”

    says the Lord your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:5-8

The parent child relationship can also experience times of unhappiness - these seasons seem to happen in the teenage and adult years.  

But when a parent entrusts their children to the Lord and diligently seeks Him in whatever situation they are unhappy about, He will prove Himself trustworthy by either intervening in the circumstance OR He will cause a perspective shift to occur in the parent where they will see the situation with love and understanding and not take it so personally.  

In cases where a child is in serious trouble whether through addiction, mental illness or the law, your Heavenly Father sees and knows.  Pray without ceasing for your child. Your happiness may not come readily in that circumstance, BUT you will have found true happiness by trusting God's faithfulness, no matter the outcome.  I realize this is a very tall order, but the Lord will ultimately turn your mourning into joy. 

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, 

and great shall be the peace of your children.

Isaiah 54:13

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, 

but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; 

He will gather the lambs with His arm, 

And carry them in His bosom, 

And gently lead those who are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

And finally, there are friendships that can bring about unhappiness.  Unlike a spouse or a child, a friendship more than likely will end if it is bringing about consistent unhappiness, especially if it is not a close friendship.  But that's not to say that close friendships don't bring about unhappiness as well.

No matter what, we are called to love our brothers and sisters and to give them the benefit of the doubt before giving up on the relationship due to unhappiness.  

Sometimes, though, in toxic friendships, happiness will not be achieved until leaving the relationship.

When we trust the Lord with our friendships and seek His wise counsel, the Holy Spirit and His Word will direct us regarding His will in that relationship.  We will have a true sense of happiness in that decision when we act according to His direction...

A friend loves at all times

Proverbs 17:17

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28

Unlocking the Secret to Happiness when you are Unhappy being Alone

This ones for me!  lol.  I do not like being alone.  I didn't used to be this way, but now in the empty nest years, I definitely crave being around people.  

On days when I am alone, I fill every second with something to do at home.  I never sit still.  lol

I would like to say that I am content as I am busy about the house, but deep down there is definitely an unhappiness that I am alone for the day...

There are others who truly are alone, day in and day out.  Shut-ins, elderly, adult children estranged from their family, and I'm sure more scenarios of loneliness.

But in Christ Jesus we are NEVER alone!  When you trust that the Lord is indeed ever-present and you meditate on that fact,  you will allow yourself to truly feel God's presence with you.

I experienced this when my daughter moved to California, "the first season of empty-nest".  I grieved for her like she had died.  Yet during that time, Jesus became my Best Friend.  My unhappiness turned to happiness in Jesus.  And the same thing will happen for you!  

The next time you are unhappy from being alone, test what I have said and you WILL unlock the secret to true happiness even when you are alone.

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not fear or be in dread of them, 

for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. 

He will not leave you or forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; 

I will strengthen you, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go

Genesis 28:15a

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20b

                        Unlocking the Secret to Happiness when you are                          Unhappy in your Circumstances

We have all experienced unhappiness in our circumstances whether it is finances, loss of job, sickness, long-term disability, severe trial, terminal illness or the death of a loved one.

These are circumstances that are really humanly impossible to feel happy about.  In fact, it would be strange if you were happy about any of those things.

Yet in Christ Jesus, our true happiness isn't found in our worldly possessions, our health or even our lives, but in the eternal Truth that when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior, all of our hope and happiness in this life and the life to come are secured in Him.

We can know that our ultimate happiness will be achieved when we meet Jesus face to face and spend eternity with Him.

To experience true happiness in difficult circumstances this side of heaven our trust must remain in our Lord and Savior to do as He has promised...  

And my God will supply every need of yours 

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 5b-7

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and 

saves those who are crushed in spirit”

Psalm 34:18

But our citizenship is in heaven. 

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 

who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, 

will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:2-3

The next time you are feeling unhappy, remember this powerful key truth that will unlock the secret to happiness, TRUST the Lord with your whole heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5 for ALL of your happiness is found in Him.

For related posts, click on the following:

The Antidote for Feeling Like a Failure

When you are afraid to confront...

4 Scripture-Based Strategies for a Stress Free Marriage

Navigating Through the Grief of an Empty Nest

Love is the Answer

Finding Contentment When Life is Hard

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