[(JD)]

I know you're wondering, how can she post something like that, like it's such a simple task obtainable by all? The way to be happy is in the Bible. Paul wrote about how to be happy, and how he was happy in spite of all the things he went through.

Most of us have read Albert Ellis and his ABCs and subsequent authors with similar paths for happiness. Paul wrote these things long before, as you can read them in the New Testament! Philippians chapter 4: 4-13:

<font color="purple"> <ul type="square">[*]
Be glad in the Lord always; I shall say it again, be glad![*]
Let your leniency be known to everybody. The Lord is near.[*]
Don't worry about anything, but instead in everything by prayer and by petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.[*]
and God's peace that goes beyond all understanding like a sentinel will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.[*]
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is serious, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anything morally excellent and if there is anything praiseworthy,
focus your thinking on these things. Whatever you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice, and the God of peace will be with you.[*]
I was very happy in the Lord that now at length you have renewed your thoughts about me. You indeed did think about me, but you had no opportunity to do anything about it.[*]
Not that I say this because of need: since I have learned, whatever condition I may be in, how to be content in doing for myself.[*]
I know both how to be humbled and I know how to abound. I have learned the secrets of contentment in every and all circumstances, when filled and when hungry, when in abundance or in need.[*]
I can do all these things by Him Who strengthens me.[/list]
</font>
Throughout the text we find one main element: THINKING CORRECTLY gives you happiness.

When we put our feelings first, we run into trouble and into the same ditch as always. It just has to happen that way, no matter how hard we try afterwards. When we get up from bed, or even sometimes before we rise, we ask ourselves how we are feeling today... We all know that the 3 elements of the process are thinking, acting, feeling... Put thinking first! After we think the right things (as noted above: the good things of God and his mercy) our actions will follow in doing and trying and being the best we can, and then our feelings will also be good, as we will realize and accept God's love for us. [The good feelings won't be blocked by our negative thinking that we "didn't do good today."]

If we try and keep the key thought foremost in our minds, from rising to resting: God helps me get through everything, He knows where I am, what I'm going through and He has a plan for me, my calling is to be who I am and do my best, then what do I have to be unhappy about? (only my own stubborness against God's way?)

I challenged each of us as we go to sleep tonight, and as we wake in the day, to think: God is in control. I can do anything He tasks me to do because He is there with me. Then, as we go through the day keep the negative things out of our minds. Don't dwell on the horrible things that happen in the world. We don't have control over them anyway. We don't have control over anything but our own thoughts (and our feelings and actions through how we think.) Fill your mind with the lovely things, the good things.

Don't let the one driver in traffic that cut you off ruin your whole day, but be thankful for the other thousand who didn't. Don't let the one thing that happened at work that upset you form your whole day, but allow it to be just one thing versus all the good things that came your way that day. And if I can bring it home, here at PC, don't get too involved with the negative threads, don't participate in the joke threads that put others (stereotypes) down, don't bother with the current events threads of doom and gloom. DO give encouragement to others. That's what these verses are about: keeping our minds on the good things, not the other stuff. Other things happen in the world, but we aren't to dwell on them. DO find the positive item in your day, and give God the glory![b]

<font color="purple">whatever is true, whatever is serious, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anything morally excellent and if there is anything praiseworthy, focus your thinking on these things.

[Fuzzybear]

[SeptemberMorn]

And she yells at Jerry: "Jerry! Come here! There's something I want you to read!" He grudgingly walks to the computer and she says "Remember that little card that David gave you when he was a kid about not sweating the small stuff?... Here it is in it's expanded form!"

Thanks, Sky! Jerry and I both needed this reminder!

Wow, what an inspired and thought provoking post, Sky. Thanks for putting it all together in a meaningful and helpful way.
I swear this should be required reading for every pc member!

[(JD)]

Thanks.

Now that I have your attention let me continue just a bit...

Actually, to be correct, the term "happy" is a secular, non-believer word. It comes from the idea of luck, happenstance. With those who trust God, nothing is amiss or left to chance. That's why in some texts it's translated as joy. I think that is a much more appropriate word, but since it isn't really a concept most of us engage, I used "happy."

ttyl!

[nothemama8]

wonderful thread, only problem is I can't let go of feelings

[(JD)]

The feelings change after your thinking changes. For some things, it can take up to 2 years to counter some feelings that result from what others have negatively pounded into your brain.

It's a process, not an overnight miracle (though I believe that could happen.)

I believe this is why it says to focus your thinking, and practice... it will change how we feel.

I'm currently part of Dr Martin Seligman's Positive Psychology research... a grunt, if you will... and from the simple task I have, I have already improved my well being!

I only had to do the task for a few weeks, but I continue it because it works.... it's looking for good things that happen to others, and not only patting them on the back, but taking it one step more to tell others about the other person's good experience! (The study continues, whether I continue doing the experiment or not, because it's about how doing it affects me over time...for a year I think...)

There is something about finding good... things lovely, things honest, things praiseworthy that helps us be better and yes, feel better!

I read something, reheard it also... about the statistics of people who worry... and how only 8% really have something to "worry" about. Now that was secular study... how most ppl only worry about things that haven't happened... many worry about things that have already happened and can't be changed... some worry about things that don't exist...

God has told us not to worry about anything! If we can focus our minds on the good... if nothing else, the GOODNESS of GOD... our minds will be transformed ... and our cares of the day to day will no longer exist as worries, or ill feelings.

I try to go to God in prayer... not a down on my knees type position, but a mindful experience... always praising Him first, as that I believe is the reason He created us: to enjoy His magnificence! Once I praise Him, I realize how splendid He is, all powerful, all knowing, all gracious and merciful, and all present... He is everywhere.. He IS. What more good can we dwell upon?

I've found that as I continue to try and focus on the good in the world, and in others... the less room I have for the hatred, the tragedies, the garbage... and I don't miss it at all. I rarely watch the regular news, but selectively look for what I deem important to know... I have tolerance, imo, for the other, and others, but I don't have need for it, and it doesn't influence me and my thinking, my life, like it has in the past. If there's nothing I can do about it, then I guess I just have to let God deal with it

[bebop]

maybe it is my upbringing but I just try really hard not to dwell on the things I can't change. like the past. it IS past so let it lay. I think that is what I was taught in church when I was very young. let not your hearts be weary!

sky you are an amazing woman! keep up the good work.

[Rapunzel]

Sky, thank you for this thread. I believe that God does want us to have joy, but it is so easy for us to forget that. We take it personally when things don't go our way, but forget to count our blessings when they do. If you actually tally it up, there are a lot more good things than bad things happening to us on a day by day basis. But the natural man is an enemy to God and tends to dwell on the negative. We can overcome that tendency if we will let our spirits lead the way.

Positive Psychology is good stuff too. I keep wanting to get more involved with that, and then I don't make time for it. Thanks for sharing what you are learning from that research too.

[jefftele]

hi sky thanks for a lovely post tend to agree with the idea that thoughts have the hierarchy over feelings ,i used to believe the opposite for many years i got into my feelings ,still remained confused ,depressed though.i now honour my feelings and am able to express them easily however if i was to be led by them.......? i woke this morning with confusion raging round my brain i settled myself into meditating on god's name and now my head is clearer and more positive what more do i need?