My Three Basic Principles for a Happy Life

Recently, I reached out to a cousin that I haven't seen in over 20 years, maybe even 30. In the letter that he wrote me, he recalled looking at my life/family when he was a child and wondering why he didn't have what I had. He is much younger than me, so that could have been part of the problem, but he did have a difficult and troubled life. 

As I reflected on his words, I thought about what made my life so different. My childhood wasn't easy either, but I chose another path. I thought about how I did this and I realized that I chose to live by some simple principles. I had never really thought about this before, but as I wrote the letter I was easily able to narrow it down to three basic principles: 1) Put God first. 2) Always try to do what is right. 3) Work hard for the things you want in life. These are not always easy to follow, but I rely on God and know that with Him, all things are possible. 

I kept the letter simple and didn't expand on these principles, but as I thought more about them, I decided to share them in this post. I know that there are people hurting and struggling. People that don't know how to make their life better. People that don't know where to turn. My response is to turn to God, call on God, trust God, and allow God to work in and through you. How do you do this? You do this through prayer and trusting God's Word. 

This doesn't mean that your life will be easy, or that you will forever live in perfect happiness, but it is how I have found happiness. It is the happiness that my cousin, even at a very young age was able to see and want.

There are many scriptures that I have turned to and that have helped me in my life's journey. There are too many to list them all, but here are some that you might find helpful:

Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

Psalms 37:24 (NKJV)

Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. 

This post isn't meant to be a life-changing experience, but I hope that in some way it is. It is simply a reflection of what I believe has made a difference in my life. I send out this post with love and with a prayer that you will fully and completely allow God into your life; allow Him to give you the life He wants you to have. I pray for blessings in your life beyond belief and a peace that has never before filled you with so much joy.

God bless you always!