The Happiness Bible

Firefly Books' Subject Bible series of twelve titles to date has sold over 150,000 copies in North America and three million worldwide. This latest title might just be the best of all. After all, humans devote their entire lives to striving for happiness by one means or another. And yet, happiness does not just happen. Pleasure might, fortune can, but long-lasting happiness and sustainable well-being -- what the author calls "flourishing" -- is an altogether more elusive condition, but not unreachable. It is a skill as much as a state. It takes effort, practice even. The Happiness Bible works with the reader to explain how happiness works and evolves, where it comes from, and how it can be nurtured and maintained. The book introduces the principles of positive psychology and how it works to achieve happiness or, it should be said, how to be less discontented. It examines what happiness studies have revealed and how positive psychology exercises help to banish the "thieves of happiness". Throughout the book are quotations that do more than inspire but also share wisdom worthy of reflection. 1. A History of Happiness -- Why It Matters 2. The Paradox of Positivity 3. Global Glee 4. Positive Psychology -- The Science of Flourishing 5. Thieves of Happiness and Barriers to Wellbeing 6. Mind-Mastery -- Breaking Down The Barriers to Wellbeing 7. Other People Matter -- Connection, Community and Communication 8. Happy Thinking -- Finding the Good and Surviving Well 9. Goals and Growth 10. Nourished by Nature 11. Find Your Forte and Go with The Flow 12. Meaning and Purpose -- What Matters Most and Why 13. Finding Space and Calm in The Now 14. Vitality is Vital to Living Well 15. A Happy Life is a Compassionate, Curious and Considered Life.

Scholars of the social sciences have devoted more and more attention of late to the concept of human happiness, mainly from sociological and psychological perspectives. This volume, which includes essays from scholars of the New Testament, the Old Testament, systematic theology, practical theology, and counseling psychology, poses a new and exciting question: what is happiness according to the Bible? Informed by developments in positive psychology, The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness explores representations of happiness throughout the Bible and demonstrates the ways in which these representations affect both religious and secular understandings of happiness. In addition to the twelve essays, the book contains a framing introduction and epilogue, as well as an appendix of all the terms used in reference to happiness in the Bible. The resulting volume, the first of its kind, is a highly useful and remarkably comprehensive resource for the study of happiness in the Bible and beyond.

The potential for happiness is all around us, yet it eludes so many. To share in God's joy, sometimes it's important to slow down and focus on the things in our lives that really matter. With an approach that is at once both spiritual and scientific, author Christine Schader offers poignant suggestions and provides practical exercises on how to focus on what makes you happy. In The Happiness Connection, Christine argues that happiness isn't the sum of all the things in your life-in fact, your circumstances and belongings account for very little of your happiness. Most of your happiness depends on your outlook, however, this is not about being positive all the time. YOU ARE ENOUGH! You are whole, complete and perfect just as you are. Being human means living and experiencing a wide range of emotions and thoughts. By better understanding the science behind happiness, as well as its spiritual component, you'll find yourself much closer to true happiness. Christine analyzes the Bible's commentary on positive psychology, neuroscience, well-being, and the law of attraction. In these matters-as in so many others-the Bible was, as always, insightful and ahead of its time.

Do you ever wonder whether God even cares if we're happy? This world can be so hard, and we aren't promised an easy road. But that's not the whole story. The Bible is filled with verses that prove that ours is a God who not only loves celebrations but also desperately wants his children to experience happiness. Why else would he go to the lengths he did to ensure our eternal happiness in his presence? We know that we will experience unimaginable joy and happiness in heaven, but that doesn't mean we can't also experience joy and happiness here on earth. In Happiness, noted theologian Randy Alcorn (bestselling author of Heaven) dispels centuries of misconceptions about happiness, including downright harmful ideas like the prosperity gospel, and provides indisputable proof that God not only wants us to be happy, he commands it. Randy covers questions like: How can I cultivate happiness in my life? What's the difference between joy and happiness? Can good things become idols that steal our happiness? Is seeking happiness selfish? How can I achieve happiness through gratitude? What does it look like to receive God's grace? The most definitive study on the subject of happiness to date, this book is a paradigm-shifting wake-up call for the church and Christians everywhere.

Take a daily step toward joy and contentment and ditch stress, overwhelming thoughts, and boredom with encouraging and biblical messages from Alli Worthington. You do your best to live life well—you work hard to be present in the moment, take care of the people in your life, knock it out of the park at work and home. And yet, somehow, you still have days (perhaps more than you'd like to admit) where you're simultaneously stressed and bored, and you wonder if you even know how to be happy. Is happiness a worthy goal? Does happiness matter to God, or does He only care about holier things? Alli Worthington gets it. As a wife, mother of five boys, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, she knows a thing or two about being busy, stressed, and happy in the midst of a crazy world! Over the years, she's seen how happiness gets a bad rap in Christian circles, and now she is standing up to shout the good news from the roof (or the internet, as the case may be): You are allowed to be happy! Yes, you! You can be happy right now! Join Alli for The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World, and find the roots of your happiest life yet. Each of the 100 short and inspirational entries includes a thoughtful message from Alli, based on God’s Word practical ways to make your life happier day by day a journaling section This gorgeous book is an empowering gift for yourself or any woman you love. It can be used as a daily devotional or as a guided journal. Be part of this exciting message: Happiness and holiness can coexist for a beautiful life. Don’t miss the great big adventure God has for you. Let this be The Year of Living Happy!

Happiness Bible Study Book includes a small-group experience for six sessions, individual study, applicable Scripture, and a group discussion guide. Christians are supposed to be happy. In fact, we are supposed to radiate joy, peace, and contentment that are so distinctive and attractive that others are naturally drawn to us because they want what we have. And yet, in today's culture, many Christians are perceived as angry, judgmental people who don't seem to derive any joy from life whatsoever. So why aren't we happy? Unfortunately, many Christians are taught early on that God doesn't want us to be happy; instead, He wants us to be holy. In fact, many Christians are laboring under the false notion that God Himself is not happy. But nothing could be further from the truth! In Happiness, noted theologian and author Randy Alcorn dispels centuries of misconceptions about happiness and provides indisputable proof that God not only wants us to be happy but also commands it. This is the most definitive study on the subject of happiness to date and a paradigm-shifting wake-up call for the church and Christians everywhere. Session titles include: 1. Joy and Happiness: The Conflict 2. Hardwired for Happiness 3. The Happiness of God 4. Idolatry and Happiness 5. Holiness and Happiness 6. The Happiness of Heaven

Jesus' first recorded sermon in the Bible is a blueprint for being happy here on earth. And though His definition contains no prescriptions for acquiring cars, homes, or savings, it does require transformation and obedience. MacArthur examines Jesus' timeless definition of happiness, and explains that our reward for following Jesus' plan is citizenship in the kingdom of God- and an abiding joy that can never be taken away. Study guide and review included for individual or group study.