How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations

by Max Lucado

Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11). 2. Bear with one another (Eph. 4:2). 3. Regard one another as more important (Phil. 2:4). 4. Greet one another (Rom. 16:16). 5. Pray for one another (James 5:16). 6. Serve one another (Gal. 5:13). 7. Accept one another (Rom. 15:7). 8. Admonish one another (Col. 3:16). 9. Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32). 10. Love one another (1 John 3:11).

The patient person sees all the peculiarities of the world. But rather than react, he bears with them.

Happiness is less an emotion and more a decision, a decision to bear with one another. By the way, don’t people bear with you? The next time you find it difficult to live with others, imagine what it is like to live with you.

Blessed is the Christian whose focus is on others. Miserable is the Christian whose focus is on self.

Let others bicker and fight; we don’t. Let others seek revenge; we don’t. Let others keep a list of offenders; we don’t. We take the towel. We fill the basin. We wash one another’s feet.

We have a chance to bring the best out of people. What could produce more joy than that?

Let this love give birth to the greatest joy: “I am beloved by heaven.”