Be happy and make your home happy

Brenda Cannon HenleyBy Brenda Cannon Henley
It is a matter of fact – Every one I know really wants to be happy. They may not say it directly or respond positively when directly asked, but genuine happiness is a long sought after goal. We chase our goals and our dreams. We work hard. We try to rear our children the best we know how at the moment. We strive to give what we can to help others. We pray and seek to please God with our lives. And yet for many, there’s still something missing. What more can we do?

One of our church’s favorite evangelists is Scott Pauley, who recently was the featured speaker at a marriage retreat for members and guests. Much fun was had, food was enjoyed, games were enjoyed with great gusto, and prayerfully, hearts were drawn closer to the will of God in many lives.

Dr. Pauley is a very practical Bible teacher and he leaves his listeners knowing what he would like them to do about the content of his messages. One of the outlines he covered came from the powerful verses found in Philippians 4. It was entitled 10 Habits of a Happy Home. I think it great for individuals and families.

  1. He suggested we learn to get over quarrels quickly based on verses 1 and 2. Dr. Pauley reminded the congregation that we get stuck at the last place we refused to move forward. Initiate peace. We are to be “peacemakers” not “peacekeepers.”
  2. Choose joy EVERY day. Verses 3 and 4 teach this rule. Joy is not an emotion. It is a choice. When emotions run the home, emotions will ruin the home. Mark it down!
  3. Treat one another with gentleness from verse 5. Our flesh reacts poorly. Our spirit responds patiently.
  4. Learn to turn every care to prayer and every trial to thanks from verses 6 and 7. A kind nurse from John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Pete just reminded me that my youngest granddaughter, Maya, has occupied a private room in their example CICU for her 168th day today as we wait patiently for a heart she so desperately needs. Point Four is very applicable to our family just now.
  5. Guard and guide your thoughts is taken from the words found in verse 8. If we do not learn to guide and guard our thoughts, they will take over and direct our life choices.
  6. Follow godly examples according to verse 9.
  7. Verses 11-13 teaches us to be content. A good definition of contentment is to be thoroughly satisfied with God’s sufficiency.
  8. While searching for your own happiness and the well being of those you love, learn to minister to the needs of others found in verse 14.
  9. Live each day by faith – Fully depending on what God can do. Verse 19.
  10. Do all for God’s glory and depend on God’s grace. Vs 20, 23. God’s riches at Christ’s expense.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[Mar-15-2022]

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