Circle time at OCS – How to be happy

1) Take care of your health: exercise, sleep and eat well

Some of you say, “We can do anything we want to.” But I tell you that not everything is good
for us.
1 Corinthians 6:12 CEV
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for
food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 127:2 NLT

3) Get everything off your chest

Happy is the one whom the LORD does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all
deceit.
Psalm 32:2 GNT
Read all of Psalm 32. David describes the deadly effects of his deceit—you can probably relate
to the bottled-up feeling he felt, when all your strength is “sapped as in the heat of summer.”
I know I’ve felt it. There are plenty of times when I lie to the people closest to me. I feel super
guilty for about a week straight. It’s like an invisible, emotional weight that compels me to avoid
them and act innocent, despite knowing that I’m clearly not.
What are the burdens on your conscience? Get them out in the light and receive instant joy.

4) Forgive and forget

[14-15] Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you
refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.
Matthew 6:14-15 TLB
If you were a “happiness” detective trying to catch “killjoy” criminals, you’d have to make sure
to apprehend bitterness—when you just don’t want to forgive someone.
Your resentment is a black hole, a foul smell, like kryptonite to Superman if Superman were
happiness. Bitterness consumes both your happiness and the happiness of those around you.
Hebrews 12:15 says that bitterness, if not overcome, will “cause trouble and defile many.”
Sometimes forgiving someone feels impossible, but is it really? I get bitter at my siblings for
causing family drama. What right do I have, though, to let myself simmer in utter contempt? I
am regularly rude to people and talk back to my superiors; I’m no perfect person. Take a look at
yourself: are you faultless? Have you never hurt another human being?
But maybe the person you can’t forgive is yourself. Well, then, maybe it’s time to shift your
focus to God, the supreme giver of mercy, who is willing to forgive all of your errors and all of
mine. He can’t grant you the contentment that comes with forgiveness if you’re still holding
onto that third-grade grudge that’s currently controlling your life.
Make an effort to resolve with the person you know you need to talk to and forgive. Get advice
and support from others so that you can go into the conversation with a soft heart.

5) Build a family of real relationships

[15] No, we will speak the truth with love. We will grow to be like Christ in every way. He is the
head, [16] and the whole body depends on him. All the parts of the body are joined and held
together, with each part doing its own work. This causes the whole body to grow and to be
stronger in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ERV)
I’m most depressed when I’m alone, and I’m alone when I don’t have any real friends. But what
is a ‘real’ relationship?
Well, we should all know what a fake friend is. A fake friend is me acting nice around a guy, and
talked behind his back when away from him. A fake friend is disloyal, two-faced, untrustworthy.
A fake friendship is artificial and destructive, especially when you don’t see how fake the
relationship has become.
What is a real friend for you? For me it’s a person I can totally be honest with and be myself
around. This scripture suggests that there’s more to it: a real friend speaks the truth in love,
and a real friend does his/her work to build another up.
Build your family! It doesn’t have to solely consist of blood-related relatives. Pick the three
friends you’re going to make your closest relationships with. Communicate that you want both
of you to be real with each other, to point out any truth either of you see in the other and to
encourage each other daily (make a card, give kind words, share a scripture, hang out with, get
open with, ask what kind of friend they need you to be, etc.—Hebrews 3:13). Having these
types of friends will make you a more loving and happier person.

6) Appreciate what you have

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
To keep this one simple: when you lose gratitude, you become really anxious. I get worried
about my future a lot, and I lose sleep, and I never take a break from work, and I isolate, and I
stop living in the moment. When I realize that I’m lucky to even be getting the experience that
I’m getting, to have the academic abilities I have and to know God, who’s got a beautiful plan
set out for me, I am at peace.
Write up a list of 50, 75 or 100 things/people/talents/weaknesses you have to be thankful for.
Be specific!
7) Give back to the community

Anyone who gives a lot will succeed. Anyone who renews others will be renewed.
Proverbs 11:25 (NIRV)
The University of Exeter Medical School analyzed 40 published studies and found that when
comparing volunteers to their peers who don’t volunteer, volunteers had a 20 percent lower
risk of death. Additionally, researchers discovered that volunteers had lower levels of
depression, increased life satisfaction and enhanced well-being.
To follow both the science and the scripture, start serving at an E-Sports program (our flagship
community service project) or find a local place to volunteer at. Get involved and reap the
benefits (happiness is a byproduct!).

8) Develop a genuine friendship with God

[3] Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be safe. [4] Seek your happiness in the
Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Psalm 37:3-4 (GNT)
I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and
strength.
Philippians 4:13 (VOICE)
Ultimately, according to the bible, God is the only one who can give you permanent happiness.
It feels great to finish a project or to make lasting memories with friends or to start dating, but
none of that joy will stand the tests of time and circumstance.
God is a friend who will never let you down. With him, and him only, you can do the impossible.
You can be a entirely new person. You can live a life full of impact and not just find fulfillment in
heaven (where I’ve never been) but on Earth throughout the duration of your life. I don’t think
happiness is so much a destination as it is a journey. If you’re not a Christian, talk to one and
make the decision to study the bible. A relationship with God isn’t just rules and no fun; God
wants to give you the desires of your heart.
If you are a Christian, is God just another one of your fake friends? Go on a the longest prayer
walk you’ve ever been on, one where you actually connect with God, and don’t you dare stop
until God becomes real again. This is a friendship you’ll never want to lose.

God doesn't just want us to be holy; he also wants us

We all want to be happy… but how can we attain it amidst the many challenges
life brings at us?
Many people have succeeded in happiness by following the simple yet
magnificent advice that the Bible offers. Here’s a list of worthwhile biblical
guidelines to follow in the pursuit of happiness:

1. Be righteous

“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who begets a wise son will
be glad in him.” – Proverbs 23:24

2. Don’t be haughty

“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be
haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17

3. Be joyful

“Rejoice always,pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

4. Be patient

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” – Romans 12:2

5. Be honest

“Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of
wrongdoing; for those who act in accordance with truth will prosper in all
their activities.” – Tobit 4:5-7

6. Be merciful and just

“I command you, serve God faithfully and do what is pleasing in his sight.
Your children are also to be commanded to do what is right and to give alms,
and to be mindful of God and to bless his name at all times with sincerity and
with all their strength.” – Tobit 14:9

7. Have integrity

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good
thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:11

8. Accept trials and persevere In temptation

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and
will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love
him.” – James 1:12
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9. Have faith

“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not
see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious
joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your
souls.” – 1 Peter 1:8-9

10. Have empathy

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15

11. Accept suffering

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering
produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character
produces hope,and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been
poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” –
Romans 5:3-5

12. Enjoy every moment

13. Trust In God’s providence

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” – Psalm 37:4-5

14. Promote peace

“Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace
have joy.” – Proverbs 12:20