In part 1, we said that happiness can be attained from being generous, contented and by being physically and mentally healthy. Check out the post here
However in this post, we will be looking out for more ways we can maintain happiness.
First, love.
Humans want to be loved. It is not possible for a family, friendship or marriage to succeed without love. However, this particular love I’m talking about here isn’t romantic love. Instead it is a much greater form of love. The kind of love that enables someone to show sincere interest in the well-being of others even considering them first before ourselves.
A wonderful description of such kind of love is found in 1corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
So this love never fails it is described clearly as a perfect bond of union. So imagine you have this kind of love for others, you don’t harbour resentments, you don’t hate anyone, then you can be genuinely happy.
That brings us to the second point. Forgiveness.
Research has shown that people that are unforgiving, are often isolated and mostly lonely because they allowed bitterness and anger to destroy their relationships. Additionally, they always become full of anxiety and depression.
In fact, they go through high levels of stress and a high risk of bad health. In fact, because they have concentrated so much on a wrong done to them, they simply can never enjoy their life.
So the need for forgiveness. Romans 3:23 tells us that all of us in one way or another have sinned and do not merit God’s glory.
Therefore, the bible admonishes us at Colossians 3:13.
Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as God freely forgave you, you must also do the same.
Brothers and sisters, forgiveness leads to reduced anxiety and depression it also facilitates high spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Forgive yourself!!! Forgiveness of oneself can be very hard to attain. Especially when we behave in a manner that is unworthy of praise. But what can help us in this regard?
Limit what you expect from yourself. Do not expect that u will never make mistakes. Ecclesiastes 7:20 plainly says
For there is no righteous man on earth who always does good and never sins.
So instead of beating yourself over the mistakes you have made, learn from them in order to reduce the likelihood of a repetition.
Your happiness lies in your hands.
Please feel free to drop your valued comments below.