Sometimes I can be so forgetful. Oh, girl, it’s bad sometimes. I forget my kids’ names. I forget phone numbers and appointments and birthdays.
But, there is one thing I never forget, but I need to—and that’s me. Yep, I always remember to think of my wants, my issues, my opinions, and my happiness.
Yet, I want to be forgetful when it comes to me. I want to grow in self-forgetfulness because when I am the most self-forgetful, I am the happiest.
That is true for you too. When you are not the first and biggest thing on your mind, you are the happiest, too.
But how can you and I do this? How can we forget ourselves and get our happy on?
This week, pastor and author, Max Lucado, is on the 4:13 Podcast, and he shares practical ways we can live happier lives.
Max Lucado is the best-selling author of over 40 books and the pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He was dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today and called “the best preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest. The New York Times named Max one of the most influential leaders in social media, and he’s been featured on countless media outlets including USA Today, Good Morning America, The Today Show, NPR, CNN, and Fox & Friends.
So, today you’re about to get your happy on. Based on the teachings of Jesus and modern research, Max is going to give you a practical way of living that will change you from the inside out. Friend, this is going to be one of your favorite episodes!
How to Get Your Happy On
- Happiness happens when you give it away. Max states that we’re all better people when we’re happy. Each of us is a better spouse, better family member, better worker, and better neighbor. Not only that, but we’re healthier when we’re happier. Yet, he says that when surveyed, only 1 in 3 Americans were happy enough to justify checking “yes” on a questionnaire. This shows that a lack of happiness really is a serious problem.Why are we so unhappy? Max points to two reasons. One involves bad or challenging things that happen to us. And, the second is because we’re convinced we will be happy only when specific changes occur in our lives. But, whether our unhappiness comes from a challenge in life or misinformation about life, we can deal with unhappiness by following the New Testament teaching that “it’s better to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Happiness happens when you give it away. Max asserts that you will be happier tomorrow than you are today if you set out to make other people happy. When you set out to say, “Okay, today, I’m going to do my best to improve the happiness level of every person I meet,” your attitude lifts. There is power in choosing to make other people happy and simply letting your happiness be a wonderful by-product of it.
- Happiness happens when you take your mind off yourself. Max asks, “Why did Jesus say it is better to give than to receive?” He asserts it’s because we’re better people when we’re givers than when we’re receivers. And, this is because when we’re giving our mind is off of our problems and ourselves.”I think our God is a God of joy,” Max shares. “I think Jesus on Earth had a smile on His face. I think that the communion of the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is a communion of happiness. So whenever we can agree with that power that is within us, then we are activating some happiness within us.”
Max believes that nothing does this more quickly than when you take your mind off yourself and try to activate happiness in the lives of others. You then become a tool in the hand of God, and there’s something joyful about that.
- Happiness happens when you practice the “one another’s.” Max shares that there are 59 “one another” verses in Scripture. They are found primarily in the New Testament epistles, but also in the gospels too. These include “love one another,” “serve one another,” “build one another up,” “encourage one another,” admonish one another,” “forgive one another,” and “greet one another.” He says they are practical, put-to-practice-on-Monday admonitions.And, Max says that even modern research indicates how these “one another” practices turn us into happier people. For example, “forgive one another.” He points to a study conducted by Duke University. They released a study of eight indicators or characteristics of happy people. Out of the eight, four of them had to do with a willingness to release resentments. So, Max applied this to our everyday lives—it’s like 50% of the job of being happy is done by being willing to let go of resentment, dealing with hurts, and not letting hurts become hates.
If “forgive one another” is a hard one for you to start with today, Max recommends starting with “greet one another.” You can do that whenever you see another person. Max says there’s a reason that the Apostle Paul made such a big deal about greeting one another. When you greet others, you honor and acknowledge them—and it doesn’t cost you anything. It’s a way to make an easy modification in your day-to-day interactions and as a result, make the world and yourself happier.
Sister, let’s stop seeking happiness, and instead, let’s seek to follow Christ and love others today. Because, when you do, watch out! Your life is going to explode with happiness.
And remember, whatever you face, however you feel, you can do all things—which includes getting your happy on—through Christ who gives you strength!
Related Resources
Books and Bible Studies by Jennifer Rothschild
- Me, Myself, & Lies: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
- Me, Myself, & Lies for Young Women: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
- Me, Myself, & Lies: A Thought Closet Makeover Bible Study
More from Max Lucado
- How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations
- Max Lucado’s website
- Follow Max Lucado on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
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What “one another” do you plan to practice this week?
