Need help staying happy?

Your mind is your worst enemy when it comes to moods.  Next time you are down in the dumps, reflect on what thoughts have been running through your mind.  If you are like me you have been thinking “garbage. “  By that I mean, you are chewing your cud (mentally-speaking) on negatives, on complaints, injustices, hurts and frustrations.

So follow Paul’s suggestion in Phil 4:8:

“Think on these things:

— that which is truth (not an assumption or a lie);

— that which is honorable and noble (not judgmental or critical);

— that which is right (not in opposition to God’s way of thinking or doing);

— that which is pure (not bawdy, lustful, immoral);

— that which is lovely (not displeasing and ugly);

— that which is of good report (not speaking ill or harmful gossip);

— that which is of moral excellence (not bad reputation or unseemly character flaws).

If there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”

I believe the Devil wants us to live life miserably.  Slewfoot wants us glum, down in the mouth, frustrated and cranky. Our enemy wants us critical, grumbling, judgmental and full of self-pity.

But God’s Word teaches that praise turns the Enemy away.  So the next time you are “down”, start praising our LORD.  At first it will feel like a robotic response.  But Scripture calls this a sacrifice of the lips.  So keep at it.

Praise the LORD for the beauty of His creation,

the marvel of mankind,

the abundant resources with which you have been blessed.

Even praise Him for that which caused your unhappiness to begin with.  Do that and unhappiness will fade away.