Jesus gives us the secret to happiness in Matthew 5:3.The secret of happiness will help you overcome discouragement and feel joy.Matthew 5:3 says...”Blessed are the poor in spirit”.I am sure you are asking...”What does that mean”?Let’s break down this scripture and discover the hidden secret of feeling happy.The word “blessed” means to be happy. “Poor in spirit” means to be humble, a person who is thankful.Matthew 5:3 can be paraphrased... “The person who is thankful and appreciative is always happy and never depressed."This is your secret to staying happy: Be thankful.When you feel discouraged with a person -humble yourself and think of why you can be thankful for them. Your depression can be dispelled through thankfulness.

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Yesterday I was feeling anxiety and depression and I asked the Holy Spirit to help me retrace my steps; and remember the incident that caused me to feel discouraged. Suddenly I remembered a disagreement with my husband that left me feeling hurt. I decided, I would change that thought and instead of being angry at him...I would think of things I could appreciate about him. The depression and anxiety left and I felt happy again.Trust Jesus, His way works!You can be a happy person if you think and say words of gratefulness towards the person causing you sadness.You choose the kind of person you want to be...a happy person —-who is humble and grateful for others or an unhappy person who is not thankful but filled with - - - pride.Instead of thinking how sad you feel. Think about what you can be thankful for.Instead of feeling rejected by someone who has walked out of your life, instead think how much you appreciated having that person in your life for a brief time.Instead of thinking this is a boring dumb depressing job, think I appreciate this job it is teaching me to be faithful when things are boring.

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Thankfulness will bring you out of depression. Expressing appreciation and a thankful attitude will keep you happy all day long. Choose to be blessed, happy and fortunate! Scripture to memorize: Matthew 5:3 says...Blessed are the poor in spirit...(Happy are the humble, appreciative & thankful).Make this your new way to live in “2019”. Live Happy! 😃 Prayer: Lord help me to be thankful for everything you have given me. I realize my depression can come from ungratefulness. I want to be thankful and recognize everything I have comes from God. Help me to stop judging my husband, my friends and coworkers and start appreciating them. Forgive me for pride and wanting everything my way. I humble myself and think thoughts of appreciation and thankfulness towards others. Thank you Jesus for the revelation that my happiness comes from me appreciating others. Declare with me: Happy people are thankful people. Unhappy people are unthankful people. Jesus encourages me to humble myself and be thankful for the people around me. I know how to live happy by being thankful.Always,Tami McKinney