How to Live Happily: Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What is the secret to happiness? Is it riches? Fame? Is it Financial freedom? Owning your home? Or Your children getting into Ivy-league schools? I mean honestly ask yourself, what am I longing for and earnestly searching for the most to make sure that I am completely one hundred percent happy with my life?
What will make me happy?
For me, I thought if only I could have children then I’d be content. And If you’ve read my blog about being a young wife, you’d know that I’m also a pastor’s wife. I don’t have the fanciest house in the world and I used to think, when I get a house then I’ll decorate it and be content.
We like to say “Once I have this, or once I’ve achieved this goal … that’s when I’ll be happy with what I have.”
The Catch-all Verse
We all know the verse “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” right? Philippians 4:13? This verse is common to help get us through the day. I was taught to say repeat this verse before a big test in school. Why? Because in all honesty, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. But in the words of Pastor Francis Chan… “It’s one of the most misused verses in the Bible, It’s our kind of “catch-all verse” to use when we want God to give us the power to do anything.”
But not alot of us know what’s going on in the context of this verse. Like who said these words or what was he going through to have to say “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”.
In fact, we don’t really know the verses that come before this well-known verse.
How to live happily and What made Paul happy?
The Apostle Paul stated, before this all famous verse comes up….
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. ” Philippians 4:10-12
Paul is telling us that he is grateful for those who have decided to worry for him. But he’s also grateful because, although he’s been through ups and downs, he’s happy. He’s happy because when he did have in abundance he was grateful and content because the Lord was his strength. He knew what it was like to suffer and not to suffer but He was still content with his life. Why? Because In all things he had Christ who strengthened him. He never lacked and always had what he needed to serve the Lord and survive.
Taking it for granted
Many of us aren’t happy with what we have. Some of us take for granted what we have been given and long for more than what we see. We tend to say, if I only had this then I’d be happy.
But there are also those who have in abundance and don’t lack a single thing that are still not happy with their lives.
How to live happily, The secret
What’s the secret? How was the Apostle Paul able to be so happy when he had everything and so happy when He had nothing? Because He knew Christ. He knew God. He had a personal relationship with God that allowed him to understand fully what it meant to be content with what he had.
Do you?
Are you happy with what you’ve been given?
Only then can we say ” I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13
<3 Bri
What a beautiful reminder. Thank you, Briana, for encouraging others to learn to be content in any and all circumstances. God bless you!!
What a great post it really puts things in perspective. I think we have to be really intentional to keep our perspective too! Also, there’s a lot to learn from Paul, I love that you referenced him. Thanks for the encouragement.
Beautifully written! Happiness is key to life satisfaction!
Wonderful post, I am not religious but encouraging gratefulness is always welcome.
You post will remind everyone that we shouldn’t wait for anything or anytime or anybody to be happy. We should find happiness today in this moment. I believe we should learn to find happiness in each little things and should not depend on others to make us happy. Nicely written how to be happy, the rare thing in this world.
Great post. Happiness is free and we ought to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves in. The problem many of us have is that we are too busy focusing on things we do not have and comparing ourselves to others without knowing that others also have their own problems. It’s a vicious pursuit that drains our happiness. May God help us all.
Love this! Yes, Paul’s context is important. He could do “all things” as in he could make it through hard times and good times and face hardship and joy. Not to say God can’t give us the power to do literally anything, but it is a good reminder of the actual context of the verse and how it applies to our contentment in all circumstances. Our joy is not tied to our circumstances! Thanks for posting this <3
Love! Love is always the answer. Thanks for the reminder to not take anything for granted and to appreciate where we are right now in life. Soak it all in!
This is a great post, I am constantly saying “you can’t buy happiness, it has to come from within” to people. This just proves my point with a biblical sense.
Lovely post. Gratitude is something many in the personal development industries are speaking about. The concept of gratitude and surrender has been in scripture all along. It’s a beautiful message that brings peace.
This is soo beautiful written thanks for the reminder
Humans always crave more. We live on the saying “if only I had ___ I’d be happy” it’s a vicious cycle
Interesting perspective. I do agree it’s easy to get caught up in thinking if you just had one more thing, then you’d be happy.
Very nice post. I personally am not religious, however, I like it how people get inspiration and strength from their faith.
What a great post, a gentle reminder of the power of love and always be grateful for our blessings!