7 Secrets of Life Through the Lens of Scripture

My friend and fellow Rotarian, John Grant, publishes a weekly email entitled “Thoughts on Life.” It’s a collection of articles, inspirational stories, motivational quotes, and various lists for living.

Last week, John’s email contained a short, simple list called “7 Secrets of Life.” I’m not sure if this is John’s personal list or from an unknown author. Nevertheless, what struck me was that this practical wisdom has a basis in God’s Word.

Consider these “7 Secrets” through this lens of scripture.

1. Make peace with your past so it won’t disturb your present.

If anyone ever had a past that could have impeded his progress and disturbed his present life, it was the apostle Paul. He consented to the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Persecuted the church. Put Christians in prison (Ax 9). And did “many things contrary to the name of Jesus” (Ax.. 26:9).

Yet, he could say “I’m forgetting the things behind” (Phil. 3:13). He realized that by the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:10), he was a new person in Christ (Eph. 4:24).

Satan will try to impede your progress by reminding you of your past. When he does, remind him of his future, and press on toward the prize.

2. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Opinions of others can diminish our self-worth, incite needless worry, and even enslave us. Our focus ought to be “Am I pleasing God?”

Paul’s rhetorical question in Galatians 1:10 is a good one for us to ask: “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? … If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

3. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

Time alone won’t heal, but with God’s help, life’s hurts can be healed. The psalmist penned, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

While our pain is real, there is comfort in the promise, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Of course, some suffering can only be lessened and minimized, and we must wait for eternity for God to wipe away all tears (Rev. 21:4)

4. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

As Drs. Minirth and Meier wrote in their book, “Happiness is a Choice,” that too many people are looking for happiness, peace, and inner fulfillment in all the wrong places.

God created us as creatures of choice. We have the power within us to pursue a path of peace and enjoy a life of happiness, hope, and Divine association. It all begins with this decision: “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord (Ps. 144:15).

5. Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them.

The paraphrase of Galatians 6:4 in the J. B. Phillips Bible offers this excellent advice. “Let every man learn to assess properly the value of his own work, and he can then be glad when he has done something worth doing without dependence on the approval of others.”

Furthermore, comparison can lead to one or two problems: (1) It may steal our own contentment and rob us of our joy, or (2) it may unfairly and harshly criticize and condemn others when we don’t know all the facts.

6. Stop thinking too much. It’s alright not to know the answers.

The counsel of the wise man is appropriate here. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Faith allows us to trust God without an explanation. Don’t overthink every issue, question, and problem. Have faith. Trust God.

7. Smile. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

It’s easier to smile despite problems when we cast all our anxiety on the Lord, because we know He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Furthermore, the Bible says, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face” (Prov. 17:22), or as one person put it. “A smile is the face’s way of testifying to the joy of the heart.”

And as my favorite author, anonymous, wrote, The soul that is filled with the Spirit radiates joy in a smile that testifies to God’s goodness.”

The “secrets” aren’t just clever sayings, nor are they really “secrets.” They’re rooted in Scripture. And offers a path forward to the abundant life Jesus promised His followers (Jn. 10:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman