Sunday, January 27, 2002
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Sunday, January 27, 2002 |
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"Happiness Starts on the Inside" By Dr. David L. Chancey
There's a well-worn story about the man who showed up for a court hearing concerning a recent automobile accident. His leg was in a cast, there were bandages all over him and the exposed parts of his body were clearly bruised and scratched. He was banged up. Looking rather surprised, the judge asked about his injuries. He replied, "Judge, I'm in terrible condition. I have cuts and stitches all over me. I'm feeling awful." The judge said, "I don't understand this. The accident report filed by the officer says that at the time of the accident you told him you were just fine." "Well, judge," the man replied, "let me explain. I was driving my pickup, pulling a trailer behind me. In the back of my pickup was my old dog Shep, and my mule was in the trailer. All of a sudden this 18-wheeler sideswiped me, and knocked me off the road. "My pickup and trailer rolled over and over, and we ended up at the bottom of a big embankment. The next thing I remember, a police officer was picking his way through the wreckage. I saw him stop and examine my mule, then he pulled out his pistol and shot the mule between the eyes. "Next, he got to where old Shep was lying and examining him, he shot old Shep, too. Then he walked over to me and asked, "How are you?" And I said, "I'm just fine." Are we really? How are you doing? Are you happy? Psychology Today once asked 52,000 Americans, "What would it take to make you happy?" The answers varied, of course, but most dealt with external circumstances that often are out of our control. Our society believes that if circumstances line up just like we want them to, then we can be happy. Call it the "when and then" syndrome. When this happens in my life, then I'll be happy. When I get a certain job, then I'll be happy. When I get a certain car, then I'll be happy. When I save a certain amount of money, then I'll be happy. If I could live in a certain place, then I'll be happy. That's not the way it works.
Happiness comes from the inside, not from the outside. Happiness is not
based on circumstances. Life is often difficult, and circumstances aren't
always pleasant. Therefore, happiness is a The happiest people I know are those who are grateful for what they have and are not suffering in the rat race of pursuing material possessions. They have chosen to be content. They have joy based on their relationship with the Lord and not on the changing circumstances of life. They live life from a spiritual perspective and not from a worldly perspective. They have a positive attitude. Paul wrote, "I have learned in whatever state I'm in, to be content" (Phil. 4:11). Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17). Jesus had just taken the towel and wash basin in the upper room and washed their feet just prior to his crucifixion. He gave them a powerful illustration of how to serve each other in humility. Someone suggested "27 Secrets to Happiness:" Live beneath your means and within your seams. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Admit it when you make a mistake. Give all the clothes you haven't worn in the last three years to charity. Every day do something nice and try not to get caught. Listen more; talk less. Every day take a 30-minute walk. Skip two meals a week and give the money to the homeless. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Be on time. Don't make excuses. Get organized. Be kind to the kind people. Be even kinder to the unkind people. Let someone cut ahead of you in line. Take time to be alone. Read your Bible every day. Cultivate good manners. Be humble. Understand and accept that life isn't always fair. Know when to keep your mouth shut. Don't be critical of others. Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present. Don't sweat the small stuff!
(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor
of McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Ga. The church family,
located at 352 McDonough Road, invites you to
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