EP 29: How to Find Lasting Happiness

LOVING LIFE AT HOME - Christian Marriage, Biblical Parenting, Creative Homemaking, Purposeful Living

Lots of people devote their whole lives searching for happiness, yet happiness seems more elusive than ever. That is undoubtedly due to the fact folks are looking in the wrong places.

So, how does one find lasting happiness? By realizing the fact that happiness was never intended to be our primary goal; rather, it's a fringe benefit to a life well-lived.

Find and fulfill the ultimate purpose for which you've been put on this planet, and you'll find true happiness as well. The six tips I'm sharing this week on Loving Life at Home can help you identify that purpose and work toward it with intentionality.

Show Notes SCRIPTURES CITED:

- "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." - Philippians 4:11

- "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." - James 1:2-3

- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6

- “The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” - Psalm 28:7

- “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” - Zephaniah 3:17

- “Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.” - Psalm 35:9

- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” - John 10:10

- "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

- “…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians 5:18-20

- “O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” - Psalm 95:1-2

- “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations..” - Psalm 100:4-5

- “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8

- “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).” - Ephesians 5:8-9

- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23

- “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

- “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

- “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” - Mark 11:25

- “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:31-32

- “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” - Colossians 3:12-14

- “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” - Matthew 6:14-15

- “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” - Psalm 100:2

- "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…” - Colossians 3:23

- “…serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:13-14

- “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” - 1 Peter 4:10

- “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” - Galatians 6:9-10

- “…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:13-14

- “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” - James 1:12

- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” - 1 Corintians 9:24-27

RELATED LINKS:

- Free Printable Thank You Notes - several different styles to choose from

- My Empty Nest/ Do It Now Lists - freepretty printable templates for you to download

- World Magazine - biweekly news magazine presents current events from a Christian worldview

- World Watch News - a daily, 10-minute summary of current world events (geared toward kids)

- LL #11: Freely Forgive Others - how to let go of past hurts so they don't rob you of joy today

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