By Chuck Bentley

There was some irony in a certain news story out of CBS New York.

After decades of studying and working with tens of thousands of patients, researchers at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious health organizations in the world, say they’ve cracked the code to being happy.

According to psychiatrist John Tamerin, “for many people the root of everything we’re chasing, a better job, more money or true love, is a pursuit of happiness.”

But this endless pursuit often backfires. “If you lead your life always waiting for a great thing to happen, you probably will be unhappy,” Tamerin said.

And perhaps one of the biggest hindrances to being happy is too much thinking about one’s self, research shows.  “Complainers are never going to be happy,” according to the research. “Happiness is a decision.”

So why did the Mayo Clinic decide to study happiness? Studies show happier people are healthier people.

And why did I decide to share this with you? Because the Bible gives us clear directions on how to be happy:

Don’t worry about tomorrow, learn to be content and rejoice always. Again I say rejoice, consider others better than you.

God’s Word is the ultimate guidebook not only to daily happiness but to lasting peace and contentment. When we are healthy emotionally, our finances will be healthier as well. For instance, we will tend not to make purchases to try to find happiness or to believe money will buy us happiness. We make better spending choices and give more when we are content than when we are empty and trying to find happiness in our stuff.

Originally posted 6/23/2015.