In life, we all experience times of peaks and valleys and it is important to be able to restore the happiness that God so desires for our lives. With that in mind, here are five things that can make you happy immediately, regardless of what is going on in your life.

1. Life
It’s easy to forget that the mere fact of conscious existence – that you are alive – is itself a miracle. As the old sayings go: “every day above ground is a good day” and to “make the most of the days you have.” “The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1b)

2. Health
Rather than thinking of illness as something bad that happens to you, start thinking of health as something good that’s happening to you. “The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life.” (Psalm 121:7a)

3. Purpose
There is nothing more conducive to long-term happiness than knowing that your actions are making the world a better place. Make a difference in someone’s life today. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:1)

4. Friendship
Almost everyone has friends, although it’s easy to lose track of them in the rush of events. Take a few minutes today to reconnect with some of them or to tell the ones present in your life how important they are to you. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:13-15)

5. Family
If you’ve got a good relationship with your family, rejoice! You’re experiencing one of the deepest sources of happiness on the planet. The saying goes, “you can’t pick your family,” but you sure can love them. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

God Bless You,
Pastor Jason Phillips
Counselor, Royal Palm Christian Counseling