We hold on to many things that cause pain, stress, and suffering. But if only we would let them go, we could be happier.
The World Observer recently listed 15 things which, if you give them up, will make life a lot easier and much, much happier. Here are five of the newspaper’s 15 things. I have added my personal commentary.
1. Give up your need to always be right. So many of us can’t stand to be wrong. We always want to be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships. This causes stress and emotional pain, for ourselves and others. It’s just not worth it.
2. Give up your need for control. The need for control is often rooted in fear, and those of us who need to be in control are looking for certainty in a very uncertain world. In my life, I have often had to choose to believe that God is able to handle the details of my life. And, because this is true, I have to decide if I will allow Him to be in control.
3. Give up on blame. Sometimes it’s not easy to give up the need to blame others for their sins and mistakes. If I talked with you over a cup of coffee and heard your story of difficulty, conflict, or mistreatment from someone, there is a good chance I would see why you would want to blame them.
But consider what Paul says in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I am really glad Christ didn’t blame me for what I did to Him; He simply forgave me. Give up blame; it’s just not worth it.
4. Give up complaining. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without grumbling so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.”
Give up your need to complain about the people, situations, and events that make you unhappy. You’ll be glad you did.
5. Give up your excuses. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who find ways around the obstacles they face; and those who make excuses why they can’t move past the obstacles. Those who find ways around the obstacles know that God plus one person equals a majority, but people who make excuses give up before they have even started. Which type of person do you want to be? Give up limiting beliefs about what you can’t do. With God, all things are possible for him who believes (Matthew 19:26).
Will you join me on the journey toward a happier life by giving up these five things?
