Samuel was ninety-two years old and blind. . .but he was mentally sharp even after his wife Sarah went home to be with the Lord.  However, Samuel didn’t feel he should live alone anymore.  His two children and their families lived miles away in different states so Samuel decided to move in a residential living facility for seniors.

On the morning of his move. . .Samuel was packed, impeccably dressed and waiting for his cab to take him to his new home.  Right on schedule the cab arrived at 8 AM.

Samuel, as was his life-long custom, arrived early and had to wait a few minutes before Jasmine, a young assistant at the facility came to take him to his new room.

Even though Samuel had to maneuver his walker down the corridor . . .he was able to maintain a brisk pace.  Jasmine began to describe Samuel’s room in detail as they walked together.  She said the room had a new couch, recliner, desk area and best of all, a big window looking out at the forest. Plus, he would be able to move freely with his cane because of how the furniture was arranged

Samuel interrupted Jasmine’s detailed description and said:  “I love it.  I love it.  I love it.”

Jasmine smiled and said “Mr. Samuel, we’re not there yet.  You haven’t seen your room.  Hold on and I’ll show it to you in a minute.  It’s down the next hall.”

 

Samuel smiled and said:  “Whether I like the room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged.  It depends on how my mind is arranged.  Being happy is something you decide ahead of time.”

Samuel knew happiness is a choice.  When we wake up in the mornings we decide the kind of day we’re going to have.

If we are happy and rejoice because it’s a day the Lord has made. . .we will choose to be happy regardless of what anyone says or does during the day.

If we make the mistake of being negative, gruff, pessimistic, grumpy or discouraged we have wasted a day the Lord has given us.

Make up your mind. . .each morning that you’re going to have a positive, productive, peaceful, prosperous, victorious day and you will. . .no matter what.

The choice is ours.

Here are the seven keys to happiness.

First, happiness is a spiritual quality.

A mind full of Rich Thoughts from the Word of God. . .a heart full of love and compassion. . .and a willingness to serve and help others is a happy heart no matter what’s going on around the person.

Happiness comes from the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 in the Amplified Bible says:

“All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.”

Second, happiness comes from within.

Happiness found on the outside is temporary and often fleeting.

For instance, today, I’m happy because the New York Yankees are in first place in their division (at the moment).

I’m unhappy because the Dallas Mavericks didn’t make the NBA finals.

I’m happy because I received phone calls from our daughters today. 

Happiness that’s based on external events is not permanent.

Happiness from within comes from our heart and spirit.

Abraham Lincoln said:

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Matthew 5:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”

Third, happiness is found in doing the little things well.

Taking pride in what you do. . .will bring you happiness.

Even the smallest project or most seemingly insignificant assignment can bring you happiness when you do it well.

Colossians 3:17 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.”

When we fully understand that everything and I do mean everything we do in this life we are doing for a higher power than our supervisor or boss. . .we will gain a happiness beyond description.

The revelation of who we are working for. . .brings happiness. . .to even the smallest undertaking.

Colossians 3:23-24 in The Living Bible says:

“Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for.”

Fourth, happiness is found in a job you enjoy.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“Because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.”

Surveys reveal that over 70% of the people who have jobs. . .don’t like the job they have and they aren’t happy about where they’re working.

I can clearly and scripturally tell you. . .that’s not God’s best.  Consider the following verses.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 in The Living Bible says:

“So I saw that there is nothing better for men than that they should be happy in their work, for that is what they are here for, and no one can bring them back to life to enjoy what will be in the future, so let them enjoy it now.”

Why are we on planet earth?  To be happy in our work.

“Yes, but Brother Harold, but you don’t know my employer.”

No, I don’t know your employer but I do know your God and His Word.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible which says:

“And, of course, it is very good if a man has received wealth from the Lord and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy.”

Fifth, happiness is a result of praying for those who would criticize or harm you.

Luke 6:28 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].”

If you have someone in your workplace who condemns or complains about you. . .don’t let it get you down. . .instead accept it as a challenge to rise above their pettiness.  Doing so will give you not only the victory but a happiness you can’t buy.

1 Peter 3:9 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].”

By praying for those who despitefully use and abuse you. . .allows you to rise above the fray to a higher level of confidence and productivity.

Sixth, happiness is achieved through our habits.

Here’s a revelation.

We form our habits and our habits form our future.

Happiness is a habit for some. . .just as worry is a habit for others.

The key to developing good, godly habits is to get rid of the bad habits, sin.

What does it take to develop the right kind of habits?

Johan Goethe said:

“HEALTH enough to make work a pleasure.

WEALTH enough to support your needs.

STRENGTH enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them.

GRACE enough to confess your sins and forsake them.

PATIENCE enough to toil until some good is accomplished.

CHARITY enough to see some good in your neighbor.

LOVE enough to make you to be useful and helpful to others.

FAITH enough to make real the things of God.

HOPE enough to remove all anxious fears for the future.

The happiest people learn to find an inner peace. . .a contented life.”

Seventh, happiness comes from speaking right words.

Words created the universe. . .words can also destroy your world.

Whether you say “I can” or “I can’t” you’re right.

Unfortunately, too many believers have been taken captive by their words.

We’re offered great advice in Job 6:24-25:

“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.  How forcible are right words!. . .”

Today, our happiness is the sum total of all the words we are speaking.

Years ago, there was a song called “Happy Talk” in the Broadway play and later a movie called “South Pacific.”

The first line of the song says “Happy talk, keep talking happy talk.”

Good advice for each of us if we want to experience true and lasting happiness regardless of our situations. 

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