Here are seven quick tips for keeping a happy perspective in life. I will talk less in this post and paste more Bible verses. Use the verses as meditations, allowing their truth to renew your mind (Romans 12:2).
Be Thankful
Several years ago, I wrote a post about the power of gratitude and thankfulness on the human brain. I won’t go into detail here (click this link if you want to read it), but the fact is, that a thankful attitude is powerful in changing our overall behavior.
Ephesians 5:4 (CEV) – Don’t use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are.
Philippians 4:6 (CEV) – Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.
Colossians 3:16 (CEV) – Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT2) – Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do Life With Others
I’m sure you have heard this cliché before; nobody says when they die; “I wish I had spent more time by myself.” We were created for relationships and if we can figure out – in our own character – how to connect and sustain healthy relationships we will have greater peace in our life.
1 Peter 3:8 (TLB) – And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
1 Peter 4:10 (NLT2) – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
James 5:16 (NASB) – Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT2) – Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another
Be HERE
“Wherever you’re at, be ALL there.” I don’t know where I heard that saying but it’s true. Be committed to the moment. Put the cell phone down while you’re having a conversation. Turn off the tv while talking to your spouse. Face your children when they are telling you a cool story of what they did. Be “ALL IN” at the moment.
Ephesians 5:15-18 (NLT2) – So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Have Other Sources of Growth
This point is like the point above of Doing Life with Others, but it goes deeper. We NEED to be connected with other healthy people that can give us consistent feedback on our own life. Personally, I have a group of guys that I reach out to on a weekly basis to “check-in” with them. I share the UPS and DOWNS of my life and I gather their thoughts. I also check on their thoughts too (it’s two-way). This process helps me to stay mentally, emotionally, and relationally healthy. Sometimes, I have strong disagreements with my wife, having other sources of growth – relationally healthy guys in my life – allows me to get my thoughts in the right place so I can go back to Jen and resolve the conflict.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) – So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
See The Need
I am going to make this one very simple. Open your eyes. Be observant. Walkthrough life looking at what others might need. Don’t wait for them to ask for help. Simply see the need and respond. We don’t have to wait to see if it is “God’s will” to help. It is!
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT) – Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Don’t Over-react
Bad things happen, I get it. Something will break that was valuable. Something will not go the way we want it to. Life really sucks sometimes. But at the end of the day getting really angry and losing control never really accomplishes much.
Proverbs 29:22 (NLT) – An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.
Proverbs 29:11 (NLT) – Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
Ask for Help
This might hit your pride a bit but asking for help is quite beneficial. You can gain a perspective that you were not aware of. You can be made aware of blind spots in your thinking. You will become a team-player. You will be doing life with others. Word of warning, asking for help when you move may have a negative effect.
James 1:5 (NLT2) – If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
What Do You Think?
Did I miss a tip that you think should be on this list? Send me an email at [email protected] I would love to hear your thoughts in 100 words or less. Also, if you liked this post please remember to like, share, and comment on it. Thanks!
