Have you lost your HAPPY? (part 2)


In last week's post, we discussed how we're not always given a choice regarding divorce, health or even life. But...

Do we have a choice when it comes to being happy?


Let's gauge our happy level. How many of these phrases have you repeated? 

 "I'll be happy when I...
Land the right job.
Make more money.
Meet Mr. Right.
Snag that publishing contract.
Finish school.

You get the idea.

Once you achieved those goals, were you happy? Maybe for a time, right? Until another goal or achievement was added to the list.

 Happiness isn't found in a place or thing. It's not an event like a wedding or a divorce.

 I'm a firm believer that being
HAPPY involves a choice, a daily decision, on my part.

 So, how can a person find their HAPPY? 

 Dive into the Word. This is the first place I seek refuge, to find a way out of the darkness, to dig myself out of the hole of discouragement.
I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) 

 Discover who you were created to be (a child of the King) and what you were created for (worship).
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)

Yeah. I know it's not easy to shout for joy when you're slogging through tough times. But, that's what we were made for and praising God will naturally lift your spirit.

Rest on God's promise to never leave you or give up on you. Deut 31:6 (NIV)

 Pray. Ask God to help bring the joy back into your heart.

 Focus outward, not inward. Get a job, take up a hobby or volunteer for an organization with a cause that you're passionate about. Spending time with others, whether it's of the people or animal variety, takes your mind away from your problems. Always a good thing, right?

 Recognize that time heals. Each day that passes lessens the sting of whatever trial or pain you're suffering. Have you ever gone through a bleak period, and then looked back later to realize you'd grown stronger because of it? Take heart in this. Know that tomorrow, while you might still hurt, God will eventually calm the storm. 
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 
They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. 
Psalm 107:29-30 NIV

Have you lost your HAPPY?
What are you doing to get it back?
Come back next week and we'll discuss specific short-term ideas
to regain your HAPPY.

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Fiction Faith & Foodies: Have you lost your HAPPY? (part 2)

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Have you lost your HAPPY? (part 2)





In last week's post, we discussed how we're not always given a choice regarding divorce, health or even life. But...

Do we have a choice when it comes to being happy?


Let's gauge our happy level. How many of these phrases have you repeated? 

 "I'll be happy when I...
Land the right job.
Make more money.
Meet Mr. Right.
Snag that publishing contract.
Finish school.

You get the idea.

Once you achieved those goals, were you happy? Maybe for a time, right? Until another goal or achievement was added to the list.

 Happiness isn't found in a place or thing. It's not an event like a wedding or a divorce.

 I'm a firm believer that being
HAPPY involves a choice, a daily decision, on my part.

 So, how can a person find their HAPPY? 

 Dive into the Word. This is the first place I seek refuge, to find a way out of the darkness, to dig myself out of the hole of discouragement.
I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? 
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) 

 Discover who you were created to be (a child of the King) and what you were created for (worship).
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)

Yeah. I know it's not easy to shout for joy when you're slogging through tough times. But, that's what we were made for and praising God will naturally lift your spirit.

Rest on God's promise to never leave you or give up on you. Deut 31:6 (NIV)

 Pray. Ask God to help bring the joy back into your heart.

 Focus outward, not inward. Get a job, take up a hobby or volunteer for an organization with a cause that you're passionate about. Spending time with others, whether it's of the people or animal variety, takes your mind away from your problems. Always a good thing, right?

 Recognize that time heals. Each day that passes lessens the sting of whatever trial or pain you're suffering. Have you ever gone through a bleak period, and then looked back later to realize you'd grown stronger because of it? Take heart in this. Know that tomorrow, while you might still hurt, God will eventually calm the storm. 
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 
They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. 
Psalm 107:29-30 NIV

Have you lost your HAPPY?
What are you doing to get it back?
Come back next week and we'll discuss specific short-term ideas
to regain your HAPPY.

post signature


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posted by Dora Hiers @ 2:00 AM   5 Comments

5 Comments:

At June 19, 2013 at 8:47 PM , Blogger tysontcooper said...

Dora, these are great reminders. It really is a daily choice to be happy. I have met people in my life in whose situation I would be miserable yet they have been some of the happiest people I've known. It's all about attitude. Happiness is a choice.

Also, I'm happy to be your newest follower! I'd love it if you could take a second to check out my blog and follow me back :)

Thanks so much,
Tyson @ www.uplifting-love.com

 
At June 20, 2013 at 8:04 AM , Blogger Dora Hiers said...

Why, thank you, Tyson. So glad you stopped by. Heading over to your place now. :-)

 
At June 21, 2013 at 2:52 AM , Anonymous Anne said...

Hi Dora,
I found your blog through Shiela's Gregoire's link-up on her site, and clicked over because I could identify with your blog title. I used to slide to the happy end of the spectrum back when I was a teenager, but then "life happened" and I find my attitude and demeanor having melancholy undertones more often than not. Lately I've been very aware of this. I am not joyful, though I long to be. I do find joyful moments in many things, though I know my ultimate source of joy comes from Christ. I feel a substantial amount of loneliness in my marriage, which I feel has been a large influence in my want of happiness. But with this, I realize that I have been allowing outside influences dictate my outlook. I truly believe that God is my source of joy and peace, and I am still in the process of figuring out how to make that joy mine. I am trying to figure out how to have realistic expectations in my marriage, focusing most of the expectations on myself--what does God expect of me? I think I am on the right track in doing this, but I also don't want to deny my husband the privilege of meeting my needs--that may sound selfish, but I think you know what I mean. It's a fine line, trying to figure these things out. My biggest challenge is reading the Bible regularly. I'm very prone to distractions because it is a quick fix for the pain, but I know better. Guilt from not reading the Word like I should is actually a huge deterrent for me to not read the Word. I would really appreciate your prayers in this! Thanks for the post and the encouragement, and for letting me go on and on here :)

 
At June 21, 2013 at 8:20 AM , Blogger Dora Hiers said...

Oh, Anne...I'm praying for you, my friend. For you to find your ultimate joy in the Lord, to draw comfort and perfect peace from the only One who is able to provide it, to be free from guilt because that's not how God wants us to live, and to once again delight in your relationship with your husband.

A few years back, I found myself more alone than I ever thought possible. Check this out, Anne. You might find some encouragement:
http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/2013/01/writing-through-despair.html

Please stop back by whenever you want to talk, Anne. My door's always open. :-)

 
At June 21, 2013 at 1:33 PM , Anonymous Anne said...

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement, Dora. I am confident in God's promises, and I think He's given me the ability to cling to those promises throughout my life (though that doesn't mean that circumstances aren't HARD). Thank you for the open door :) God bless you and your family. ~Anne

 

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