The 3 Secrets of Consistently Happy People

Happiness. We all want it. Our country claims to give us the right to pursue it. What is it?
This question popped into my head during the sunday sermon at my home church. Why I don't know. But it did, and the answer seemed to follow right along. I knew it had to do with hope for the future, but then I realized it had something to do with the past too. Anyway this is my final observation:
Happiness is...

• Peace with the Past
• Contentment in the Present
• Hope for the Future

Peace with the Past

[Matthew 5:23, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Ephesians 2:14-17]
In order to be truly happy, we need to have peace with the past. This means, perhaps most importantly, Reconciliation -- with yourself, with others, and with God, about who you are, who you've been, what you've done, what others have done to you. This means forgiving others their wrongdoings, asking forgiveness, and accepting things that can't be changed (who you are, the way you were raised, your environment, etc). Thank lots of people for things they've done for you. Giving thanks is another aspect of boosting your peace with the past -- it keeps reminding you that there are things in your past that were good. Sometimes really good. I have found that when I'm reconciling things of the past I simultaneously thank people for things left and right, and it's extremely freeing.
Note this is a biblical principle, and I don't believe a non-Christian can ever fully have true peace with the past.
Hmm, I could write a book on this. Kinda like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (who ever reads that anymore? - it's a pity and a shame). I just now changed the title to parallel that book!

Contentment in the Present

[Philippians 4:11-12, Romans 8:28]
In order to be truly happy, we need to have contentment in the present. This is more self-explanatory, but really it perhaps should be the last of the three. You can't be content in the present until you have both peace with the past and hope for the future. With both of these, what can go wrong in the present? A solid hope pulls anyone through anything. As a Christian, contentment in the present is based on God's promises to keep us, that He is in full control of what's going on, and that everything happens for the good of those who love Him.
Note that this is also a biblical principle, and I don't believe a non-Christian can ever fully have true contentment in the present.

Hope for the Future

[Job 8:13]
In order to be truly happy, we need to have hope for the future. Without it there is no happiness that doesn't seem empty and meaningless. It's like a last date every time. On a medical website I read, "1. Hope is essential for the adaptation to illness and to transcend the limitations of aging. 2. Hope generates energy that enables individuals to cope with numerous problems and losses, overcome obstacles in life, and continue functioning during chronic illness. 3. Hope thrives in the context of a caring relationship." I'd like to expound on #3: Hope is directly related to a relationship. In this way Loneliness is also tied with hope, or lack of it. But the relationship -- is there really true hope in relationships with people? Humans, who change directions so often in the maze of life? No. The only relationship that can give true hope is a relationship with God, who doesn't change, and who loves us and with His power has a future - a good future - already set up for us. Basically, hope in God!
In Job 15, Job's friend says he doesn't believe God, and in chapters 16 and 17 Job rebuts by saying (climaxing at 17:15) "Where then is my hope?" Later he explains how God has effectively pulled up his last hope, but still he stands firm: "Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth!" Biblically, this is something worth standing on in any situation -- don't ever let your brain play this down!
Note that this is also a biblical principle, and I don't believe a non-Christian can ever fully have true hope for the future.

Summary

See Job 11:13-20: I found these three principles narrated there, and a follow-up about those who refuse to reconcile with God (also in 27:8). And really, if you read through Job, often called the book of suffering, you'll see eventually that Job has the answers to happiness and that it is tied to these things.

Humility & Nothingness

This last weekend I participated in a student experience called Squatter Camp -- about 25 of us lived "homeless" from Friday evening until Sunday evening. We slept in the plaza here at Moody, and could only eat what we somehow get for ourselves off campus without money, or else if food is given to us, the person who brought the food had to go with us and feed a homeless person and we would eat with them. A lot of the purpose was to identify with them and know at least in part some of the things they go through. I went with just what I wore and a sleeping bag. Near the end I wasn't sure yet what I had gotten out of it, but when we were done, I felt like I didn't want to go back to having a place where I belonged -- where I "own" things and have a space set aside for me. It was a little because it seemed unfair, but more because the experience just seemed to pull me closer to the core of who I am in Christ and I just didn't want to own things for myself anymore. I didn't feel like I wanted to step back up to the name that I had for myself before -- a college student who had a job, possessions, and a family to care for me. I only now realize that since I've always shared a room, I've always wanted to have my own room. I know it's a healthy desire to have my own personal space, to own land or a house, but.... I know I don't have anything of my own, but I mustn't want anything for myself either. A dorm room, even if it is the smallest one I've ever seen, is more than I need. My laptop is more than I need. Music at my fingertips is such a commodity that I've spent so much money on. The music as well as the money for it is so much more than I need. Rip me down to the core, and just give me breath and let me learn the Bible! May I never covet the riches of this world again!