Our world
is more stressful than ever,
and happiness seems to elude us
at every corner.
But there are very real things
we can do to be happy
--and you need to know
what they are.
Join us right now
on Tomorrow's World
as we explain "Seven Steps
to Lasting Happiness"
♪
Greetings,
and welcome to Tomorrow's World.
We're delighted
to have you here.
Today, we're going to discuss
how to be happy.
A state of mind all of us
long to have
but so many of us
seem to find out of reach.
In addition to the information
on today's program,
we'll also be giving you
the opportunity to request
a free DVD to help you
find peace and contentment
in your life,
"Claim God's Promises."
This free DVD discusses
how to receive answers
to your prayers,
how to seek healing from God,
and how to overcome stress
in your life.
Keep an eye out
throughout the program
for information
on how to receive
this free DVD.
Let me begin by being frank:
our world today
is incredibly stressful,
and refuge, rest,
and relief seem elusive.
When we look around us,
it is clear
that something is wrong.
Consider the United States--
if anyone should be happy,
it seems like it should be
the citizens of the U.S.
In many ways,
America seems as though
it would be
the envy of the world.
Financially prosperous,
with an average
"per capita" wealth
that many other nations
can only dream of,
protected from most
national enemies
by two broad oceans
and the world's
most powerful military.
Yet the U.S.
is currently suffering
a suicide epidemic.
As reported by the American
Psychological Association
in March of 2019:
As the years
of this trend indicate,
the phenomenon
can't be pinpointed to only
a handful of years,
or, for that matter,
a single presidential
administration,
as some may be tempted to do.
It is clearly a trend,
showing itself over two decades
and accelerating since 2006.
The young seem
most strongly impacted.
As reported by U.S. News
and World Report
in April of 2019:
The report highlights
findings from a study,
published in the Journal
of Abnormal Psychology,
noting that:
How can a nation
in which there is
so much abundance and promise
be filled with such depression
and hopelessness?
How can so many people
in even one
of the most prosperous nations
in the world
still fail to find happiness?
Clearly,
happiness is not found
merely in abundant
personal wealth
or having a full bank account.
But that is good news.
Because it suggests
that there are other ways,
far more under our control,
that we can use
to achieve the contentment,
peace, and happiness we desire.
On the rest of today's program,
we'll discuss
seven concrete steps
that you can take
to increase your opportunity
for happiness in your life
--key actions
you can take charge of
and use to make a difference.
Now, some may be things
you know you should do
but have been putting off.
While others may surprise you.
But all of them involve actions
you, yourself,
can begin taking today.
We'll begin with our list
in just a moment.
But first, I want to give you
a brief opportunity
to request today's free DVD,
"Claim God's Promises."
This DVD contains
three full Tomorrow's World
television programs that you'll
want to see for yourself.
In the first program,
Roderick C. Meredith
--an evangelist of Jesus Christ
for over 60 years--
explains the truth behind
truly "Answered Prayer."
In another program on the DVD,
evangelist and fellow
Tomorrow's World presenter
Richard Ames explains
how you can "Overcome Stress."
And in the third program,
Roderick Meredith returns
to explain the forgotten truth
about how "God Heals."
No one in this world
of stress and heartache
who is seeking the peace,
comfort, and contentment
that only God can provide
can afford to miss
this life-changing, free DVD.
Take just a moment
to request your free copy
right now,
and I'll be right back
to begin explaining
seven steps that you can take
to find happiness.
Today's offer is yours
absolutely free
No Cost, No Obligation
Call toll free now
...
Call toll free now
or write to us
at the address
on your screen
or visit us online
at TomorrowsWorld.org
♪
Announcer: With this offer,
you will also receive
your free subscription
to Tomorrow's World magazine
full of timely articles
and unique insights
on today's important issues.
And be sure to go to
TomorrowsWorld.org/digital.
Have a digital subscription
sent right to your email inbox.
*Faster than postal mail!
*Visit us online, now!
♪
Welcome back.
How can we bring more
lasting happiness
into our lives?
Let's jump in and look
at our first step
that you can take:
Now, you may not be
an "outside" person.
Honestly, I'm not.
I enjoy my air conditioning
and my reclining chair.
But there is
something rejuvenating about
regularly taking the time
to experience some
of God's creation.
King David of Israel
often connected nature
with positive emotions.
When meditating on
the coming reign of the Messiah
and how the world
will be transformed,
he was moved to
poetically reflect
on nature's response...
It can be challenging
in our world
of concrete buildings,
artificial light,
and constant distraction
to pause from day to day
and seek access
to the natural world,
to connect with nature
and nature's God.
But studies show
that such effort
is worth our time.
In Harvard Men's Health Watch,
Harvard University has written
on the demonstrated connection
between happiness and time
in natural surroundings:
God has given us
a wonderful natural world
that demonstrates His presence
--though we've worked hard
to cover much of it up
with concrete and asphalt!
If we want to take a step toward
increasing happiness
in our lives,
we should seek to regularly
Doing so will get you away
from your laptop
and smartphone screens
more often,
which is related
to our next step
toward finding more happiness:
How many of us
are addicted to Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat?
If you don't think you are,
try going without it for a week.
You might be surprised.
Ironically,
while social media is touted
as a way to bring
us all closer together,
studies have shown it often
has the opposite effect:
increasing loneliness
and unhappiness.
In 2018,
Dr. Melissa Hunt at
the University of Pennsylvania
published the results
of her research into the effects
of social media.
Specifically,
she examined the effect
of decreasing one's use
of Facebook, Instagram,
and Snapchat.
She notes:
The oddness of the conclusion
that something
meant to connect us
leaves us more lonely
and unhappy
is not lost on Dr. Hunt:
Neither Dr. Hunt,
nor we at Tomorrow's World
are suggesting that you must go
off all social media.
At the same time,
studies show that reducing
our time with it often
does increase our happiness.
My colleague, Gerald Weston,
discussed this topic in his
Tomorrow's World telecast,
"The Dangers of Social Media."
I encourage you to head over
to TomorrowsWorld.org
and search for it.
Another step
you can begin taking
to increase your happiness
is this:
We live during a time
when science and medicine
have enabled mankind
to understand more
about the human body
than ever before.
And yet,
we paradoxically live
during a time
in which few people care
for their health as they should.
Consider the blessing
of a good night's sleep.
When contemplating the blessings
of living by God's commands
and the curses that come
with breaking them,
King David speaks of sleep
as a God-given blessing.
Yet we seem to live
in a world in which sleep
is constantly sacrificed
to jobs, to passing pleasures,
even to smartphones.
And irregular sleep harms
both our health
and our happiness.
In June 2017,
ScienceDaily reported on a study
suggesting a direct connection
between regular sleep habits
and happiness,
even when the amount of sleep
itself was deficient:
Again, the study found
that even when sleep itself
could not be increased,
going to bed and getting up
at roughly
the same time every day
enhanced a sense of happiness,
healthiness, and peacefulness.
We are physical beings,
and tending
to our physical needs
will increase our opportunity
to find happiness.
Poor health is a source
of stress and unhappiness
like no other,
and, of course,
many of us suffer
under health conditions
we can do nothing about.
Still,
if we seek to do what we can,
we can see benefits
and many are able to rise above
their circumstances
and find happiness,
even in the middle
of health trials.
The keys to doing that
can be found
in our remaining steps.
In fact,
the next step surprises many.
It is also one
of the most
effective paths to happiness
you'll ever learn.
We'll discuss that step
in a moment.
But first,
let us give you
another opportunity
to request today's
free resource,
"Claim God's Promises."
This free DVD contains
full Tomorrow's World programs
designed to help you
find answers to your prayers,
overcome stress,
and discover the divine healing
promised in the Bible.
Take just a moment
to claim your own copy,
and I will be right back
to tell you one of the
most surprising
but most effective ways
to find happiness.
Announcer: Today's offer
is yours absolutely free,
no cost, no obligation.
Visit us online at
TomorrowsWorld.org.
Find us on Facebook,
watch us on Youtube,
and follow us on Twitter.
Welcome back.
The next step we want to discuss
that you can take
to actively increase
your happiness
and satisfaction with life
is this:
Now, please note
that we aren't talking about
simply being thankful
when you're happy.
We are talking about
actively practicing
and growing a mindset
in which you are grateful
at all times
--even during your trials--
and using the tool of gratitude
to grow your happiness.
The Apostle Paul
was moved to encourage
the Christians living
in Thessalonica...
Science has learned
that this command
--giving thanks in everything--
is a major means
of promoting happiness
and well-being.
The impact on actively
cultivating and consciously
increasing the amount
of gratitude you feel
has been studied
by psychologist Robert Emmons.
In his book--Thanks!
How Practicing Gratitude
Can Make You Happier--
Dr. Emmons writes:
Working with his colleague,
Michael McCullough
of the University of Miami,
Dr. Emmons says:
According to Emmons,
the life changes
were not just illusory,
but were confirmed
by the testimony
of spouses, friends,
and family who interacted
with these individuals.
For his research,
Emmons defined gratitude
as acknowledging goodness
in your life
and acknowledging the source
of that goodness
to be outside of yourself
--that is,
your gratitude must be directed
toward someone else.
And it is all the more important
to practice gratitude
for the blessings in your life
in times of trial
and difficulty,
when those blessings may
seem harder to find.
As Dr. Emmons writes:
It seems that when
the Apostle Paul said
to give thanks in everything,
he knew
what he was talking about.
None of us can pretend
that we do not
go through hard times.
We do.
Life is difficult,
and reasons to worry
or feel anxious often seem
to line up
and come at us one at a time
in a continuous parade
of concerns.
Yet, God's word gives us
another step
we can take
in achieving a happier,
more peaceful state of mind
in the face of such concerns:
In chapter 4 of Philippians,
one of
the most encouraging books
of the Bible, we read...
You might note the mention
of thanksgiving,
in light of our previous point.
But God's word says here
to "let your requests
be made known to God."
One of our greatest sources
of happiness
and encouragement is knowledge
that the God of All Things
loves us and can be trusted
with our concerns.
The Apostle Peter encourages us
in his first letter...
Of course,
we must trust God
in His decisions concerning
our worries,
believing that He has the wisdom
to see what we do not,
and the power to act
however He must.
And it is not enough to ask God
-we must approach Him in a way
that acknowledges who He is
and the sovereign role He plays
in our lives,
day after day.
This topic is covered far more
in today's free DVD,
in which Roderick Meredith
discusses the keys
to truly answered prayer
--and in much more detail
than we have time for
in our program today.
In fact,
the very title of that free DVD
gives us the next step
we can take
in finding more happiness
in life:
The Bible is filled
with wonderful promises
for those who seek
the God of Creation
and His Son, our Savior,
and who put first
in their lives
His coming Kingdom.
In His word,
God makes promises
that impact your health,
your security, your family,
and your children.
He even makes promises
to your children.
Promises concerning true
peace of mind
and a future beyond
anything you have ever imagined!
In fact, the Bible
contains so many promises
that we could scarcely scratch
the surface of them
in the small amount of time
we have for this point today.
In the free DVD
we discuss not only
the key to answered prayer,
but also the ways
we can overcome stress
and find divine healing from God
--all supported
by the pages of your Bible.
You need to learn how to
claim God's promises
for yourself.
Let me pause just one more time
to allow you to order
your own copy
of this amazing, free DVD
"Claim God's Promises"
And then I'll be right back
to discuss the last step
toward happiness that
we're going to recommend today.
It is the one step
that empowers all the others,
and --for many-- it will be
the most shocking step of all.
Order your free DVD
and come right back,
because you need
this vital
and all-important final step.
♪
Today's offer is yours
absolutely free
No Cost, No Obligation
Call toll free now
...
Call toll free now
or write to us
at the address
on your screen
or visit us online
at TomorrowsWorld.org
♪
Announcer: With this offer,
you will also receive
your free subscription
to Tomorrow's World magazine
full of timely articles
and unique insights
on today's important issues.
And be sure to go to
TomorrowsWorld.org/digital.
Have a digital subscription
sent right to your email inbox.
Faster than postal mail!
Visit us online, now!
♪
Welcome back.
Let's get to our final step
in bringing about more happiness
in our lives.
This last step requires
doing what some would think
is the very opposite
of what you should do
if you want more happiness
in your life.
That's because it involves
not seeking happiness.
One of the vital truths
that many miss
in their pursuit of happiness
is that happiness is not an end
in and of itself.
In fact,
often the stronger
we chase after real
and lasting happiness,
the more fully it eludes us.
Cheap and temporary happiness
can be ours,
but the more we seek
deep lasting happiness directly,
the more we cannot find it.
That is because lasting,
significant,
and deep happiness
is a byproduct
of what you do,
not an end unto itself.
And that byproduct of
contentment, peace,
and happiness,
is often generated
by abandoning the search
for happiness, itself,
and by replacing that search
with today's seventh step:
Playwright George Bernard Shaw
famously wrote
of this principle:
Wise King Solomon wrote
that God has placed
eternity in our hearts
Something deep within us
wants to know
that we are connected
to something larger
than ourselves,
and there is a happiness we find
in that connection
that isn't available to us
any other way.
Of course,
the greatest effort on earth
one could contribute to
is Jesus Christ's own effort
to preach the Gospel
of the Kingdom of God
to the world.
That effort gave
the Apostle Paul
a sense of satisfaction
and purpose that carried him
through remarkable times
of suffering and uncertainty.
Even when in chains
and at risk of losing his life,
he possessed a peace
and a passionate joy.
Consider his words
to King Agrippa,
spoken when the Apostle
was in chains
and being tried in court,
surrounded by his accusers.
After Paul spends his time
not defending himself,
but preaching the Gospel,
Agrippa says that Paul
has almost convinced him
to be a Christian.
And Paul's response...
Yes,
even in a state of imprisonment,
Paul recognized
that the joy, confidence,
and lasting happiness
he had found
in knowing His purpose
and contributing
to the work of God on earth
--serving others with
the glorious truth
of God's coming Kingdom--
was something that he wished
all men and women could share.
We must find something
larger than ourselves
to be a part of,
and God holds out so much
that is larger than ourselves:
your family,
God's purpose for us,
His Kingdom, His Church,
His Work on earth,
selfless service to others.
There is much happiness
to be found in the pursuit
of such larger goals.
My friends,
I hope you'll put
these seven steps into action
in your lives,
and I hope
you'll find your happiness
greater because of it.
I also hope that you'll request
today's free DVD,
"Claim God's Promises."
If you care about
your own happiness
and the happiness
of those you love,
you need this DVD.
As always,
there is no cost or obligation.
And, finally, I hope
we'll see you here next week.
My colleagues,
Gerald Weston, Richard Ames,
and our guest presenter,
Rod McNair,
will be here waiting for you,
eager to share with you the hope
of the coming Kingdom of God,
the prophecies of the days
just ahead of us,
and the remarkable teachings
of Jesus Christ.
We'll see you here,
next week.
♪
Announcer: To take advantage
of today's free offer,
or view today's program
now or anytime,
go to TomorrowsWorld.org.
Find us on Facebook,
watch us on YouTube,
and follow us on Twitter.
♪
Announcer: The preceding
program is produced by
the Living Church of God.