Since I made the decision to fully submit to the will of God and follow His plan I have experienced greater peace and happiness than I thought imaginable. I used to think that living my life God’s way was too difficult and that I would always be an outsider in His Kingdom. However, all it took was the simple act of submission. Once I turned toward Him and gave Him all of my heart, He filled every void and gave me a life of pleasure and satisfaction. Here are seven steps towards having a life of happiness, that I call the true principles of pleasure.

1. Submit yourself to God’s Will. God has a unique purpose and destiny for each one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says that His plans for us are good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope. You will be the most happy when you agree with God’s program and let Him cultivate the gifts and talents He has placed in you. When you give Him your life, He makes things happen in ways that we know we could not have orchestrated on our own. Sometimes we see the vision correctly but we set out to make it happen ourselves without consulting Him and following the Master Plan. His route may not look anything like the one you mapped out. The key is to trust Him that His way is the best way.

 3. Attune your ear to His Voice. Get to know the character and heart of God so that when He speaks you know that it is Him. Thoughts originating in a mind that has not been delivered and renewed can send messages of hopelessness and defeat. If you have not yet dealt with areas of guilt and shame in your life you may find it hard to believe the Lord when He tells you He loves you and shows you the plans that He has for you. You may be conditioned to feel ashamed when you make mistakes. You may try to impress God with your actions in an attempt to earn His love. The truth is, God always sees you through eyes of love and there is no need to be ashamed before Him. When we hide from Him like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, we miss out on the special relationship and intimacy that we could enjoy with Him.

Study 1 Corinthians 13 and understand what unconditional love is. If the voice whispering in your ear is telling you something that is not in line with unconditional love, then it is not God. For example, God will never tell you that you are not good enough. He may tell you to wait on something. He may give you a “no” when you are looking for a “yes” but He will never put you down. He will challenge you to grow, but He will not turn His back on you if you think you are not growing fast enough.

4. 4. Surround yourself with other believers. Sometimes when you fall into cycles of sadness and depression you tend to isolate yourself.  You become disconnected from life-giving sources of spiritual energy and miss out on the corporate blessings that come with corporate worship. Often there are spiritual impartations and words of encouragement that flow within gatherings of believers that are living water for a thirsty soul. God will often work through people to bless others but if you are hiding you limit these opportunities. By staying away you are also hoarding the gifts God has given you. Those gifts are not just for you, they are for the entire body of Christ. When you use your talents to serve others, you are planting seeds of blessing that will yield a great harvest in your life.

5.  5. Feed your Spirit. Use your senses to take in things that build up your spirit. Watch films that inspire you, listen to uplifting music, read things that expand your mind and teach you how to live better, join groups where you can learn and share with others. Become active in the activities that you enjoy. For example, if you like to paint, sing, write or play sports, make time to indulge in those interests. God placed those talents in you and they are likely an important part of your purpose and destiny. Begin to cultivate those talents while being mindful of God’s presence. He will teach you new skills and connect you with others who can help you develop.

6.  6. Be yourself with God. Talk with Him the way you would talk with your closest friend. After all no friend, could be a closer friend than He is. He doesn’t need any fancy prepared speeches from you unless that is your personal style. Worship Him from your heart. If you love to sing but think you sound terrible, don’t worry about it. Singing that comes from your heart sounds beautiful to Him. If you are angry about something, express it. If you feel you can’t forgive someone, tell Him. Ask Him for help. You don’t need to try to impress God. You are already his favorite and there is no competition for your spot. You have His undivided attention and all He wants to do is bless you.

<!7.     Be thankful. Never forget what the Lord has done for you. In the darkest moments, remember how the Lord has already brought you out of situations time and time again. Praise Him knowing He is faithful and He will continue to provide for you. Remember that He has a plan for your life. You may not be able to see the entire plan, it may feel strange to you right now, but be thankful that His plans for you are good and trust Him. For every complaint you have, there must be something you can be thankful for. If you do not like your job, you can be thankful that it helps to provide the things you need. Focus on the blessings and appreciate the good in your life.

The more time you spend with the Lord soaking in His presence and keeping your mind focused on good things, the happier you will become. When you begin to use your talents as acts of worship unto God and acknowledge Him throughout your day, you will find that life is less stressful. Jesus said my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30 NIV). Walk with Him and He will give you rest. He will take the weight off your shoulders, liberating you to take pleasure in every good thing that He has for you.

Philippians 4: 7-9 (The Message) “^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

 ^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

Rachel Renee Griggs is the author of The Silk Café, (www.silkcafe.net) a website where she openly and honestly discusses lessons learned in the areas of love, life and relationships. Rachel says, “Silk is a fine fabric that while soft to the touch, can be stronger than steel. The Silk Café is a place where people can express themselves and share the experiences that have shaped them as well as learn from the experiences of others.” Contact Rachel at difficultwoman@silkcafe.net.