There's a well-worn story about

the man who showed up for a court hearing concerning a recent automobile

accident. His leg was in a cast, there were bandages all over him and

the exposed parts of his body were clearly bruised and scratched. He was

banged up.

Looking rather surprised, the

judge asked about his injuries. He replied, "Judge, I'm in terrible

condition. I have cuts and stitches all over me. I'm feeling awful."

The judge said, "I don't

understand this. The accident report filed by the officer says that at

the time of the accident you told him you were just fine."

"Well, judge," the

man replied, "let me explain. I was driving my pickup, pulling a

trailer behind me. In the back of my pickup was my old dog Shep, and my

mule was in the trailer. All of a sudden this 18-wheeler sideswiped me,

and knocked me off the road.

"My pickup and trailer

rolled over and over, and we ended up at the bottom of a big embankment.

The next thing I remember, a police officer was picking his way through

the wreckage. I saw him stop and examine my mule, then he pulled out his

pistol and shot the mule between the eyes.

"Next, he got to where

old Shep was lying and examining him, he shot old Shep, too. Then he walked

over to me and asked, "How are you?" And I said, "I'm just

fine."

Are we really? How are you

doing? Are you happy? Psychology Today once asked 52,000 Americans, "What

would it take to make you happy?" The answers varied, of course,

but most dealt with external circumstances that often are out of our control.

Our society believes that if

circumstances line up just like we want them to, then we can be happy.

Call it the "when and

then" syndrome. When this happens in my life, then I'll be happy.

When I get a certain job, then I'll be happy. When I get a certain car,

then I'll be happy. When I save a certain amount of money, then I'll be

happy. If I could live in a certain place, then I'll be happy.

That's not the way it works.

Happiness comes from the inside, not from the outside. Happiness is not

based on circumstances. Life is often difficult, and circumstances aren't

always pleasant. Therefore, happiness is a

choice. We can be happy in spite of our circumstances.

The happiest people I know

are those who are grateful for what they have and are not suffering in

the rat race of pursuing material possessions. They have chosen to be

content. They have joy based on their relationship with the Lord and not

on the changing circumstances of life.

They live life from a spiritual

perspective and not from a worldly perspective. They have a positive attitude.

Paul wrote, "I have learned

in whatever state I'm in, to be content" (Phil. 4:11). Jesus said,

"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17).

Jesus had just taken the towel and wash basin in the upper room and washed

their feet just prior to his crucifixion. He gave them a powerful illustration

of how to serve each other in humility.

Someone suggested "27

Secrets to Happiness:"

Live beneath your means and

within your seams .

Return everything you borrow.

Stop blaming other people.

Admit it when you make a mistake.

Give all the clothes you haven't

worn in the last three years to charity.

Every day do something nice

and try not to get caught.

Listen more; talk less.

Every day take a 30-minute

walk.

Skip two meals a week and give

the money to the homeless.

Strive for excellence, not

perfection.

Be on time.

Don't make excuses.

Get organized.

Be kind to the kind people.

Be even kinder to the unkind

people.

Let someone cut ahead of you

in line.

Take time to be alone.

Read your Bible every day.

Cultivate good manners.

Be humble.

Understand and accept that

life isn't always fair.

Know when to keep your mouth

shut.

Don't be critical of others.

Learn from the past, plan for

the future, and live in the present.

Don't sweat the small stuff!

(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor

of McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Ga. The church family,

located at 352 McDonough Road, invites you to

join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55

a.m.).

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