Right Thinking Leads to Happiness
By Rick Warren
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
God’s recipe for happiness isn’t a one-shot formula. It’s something you need to follow every day: Worry about nothing, pray about everything, thank God for anything—and, lastly, keep your mind on the right things.
If you want to be happy, don’t fill your mind with lies. Don’t fill it with garbage. Instead, fill it with things that inspire you and make you a better person. The Bible says, “I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes (Psalm 101:3 GW). Does that mean God doesn’t want you to have fun? No, of course not. He says it for your own good, because he knows what will truly make you happy.
What do you think about the most in your spare time? The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts.
One practical way to keep your mind on the right things is to not be critical—to avoid putting people down. Instead, think good things about others. If you can’t think good things, just don’t think about them.
The Bible says, “Whatever things are of good report . . . meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). I’d like to build a church where people are always giving a “good report” about each other. You’re at the grocery store and someone asks you, “You know so and so?” And you say, “Yes, they’re a fine person.” That’s giving a good report.
God’s formula for happiness is this: Worry about nothing, pray about everything, thank God for anything, and keep your mind on the right things. If you follow it, the Bible promises, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).
Who’s the main ingredient of this formula? It’s Jesus Christ. Without him, the happiness formula will just flop. True happiness is the result of having a right relationship with Jesus.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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