The Secret to a Happy Life

I don’t believe that pursuing stuff is the key to a full and happy life. Material things burn, rust, and wear out. They are fun for awhile but then we want something else. We’ve allowed ourselves to be easily swayed into believing that stuff will make us happy.

Dave Ramsey, the author of Financial Peace, considers this mentality a disease called “Stuff-itis.” It’s a disease we all have. We are tricked into believing that happiness comes from a thing or an event.

Think of the happiest people you know and list their qualities and character traits. Your list will probably look something like this:

• Love for God
• Love for family
• Love for others
• Content
• Hard-working
• Honest
• Humble
• Integrity
• Optimistic
• Patient
• Peace
• Prayerful
• Purposeful
• Thankful
• Values
• Worry-free

People are happy not because of what they have on the outside but because of who they are on the inside. The American Dream is consumed with stuff on the outside. Happiness and fulfillment comes from within.

A full life comes from realizing who you are in God’s eyes. When you understand that you are precious to your Creator, your perspective changes. God loves you more than you can imagine. You are totally accepted by Him, not because of anything you have done, but because of what He has done for you through Christ.

All you have to do is accept God’s gift of grace – Jesus the Savior.

This is a transformation that may take place instantaneously or it may be a slower process, but once you understand your worth and value to the God of the universe, you will never be the same.

And you will be happy.

Your life will be fulfilling and full of purpose. Your life will center on who you are more than what you have. You will value relationships over possessions. You will find contentment. You will worry less and love more. This is the secret to a happy life: Know who you are in God’s eyes.