Happiness Habit: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Habits of Happiness

Happiness Habit: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff By Rick Warren — Feb 3, 2016 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you.” (Philippians 2:14-15 NLT) Do you ever fret and fight over the small stuff? Of course. We all do! It’s a hard habit to break because we’re negative by nature. Ever since Adam and Eve, we have been going around excusing and accusing. We excuse our own mistakes and then accuse others for their mistakes — and more. We hide, and we hurl. We blame others for the problems in our lives. Philippians 2:14-15 says this: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you” (NLT). That may be one of the most difficult verses in the Bible. Would you agree? There are four types of complainers I run into all the time. First are the whiners. You can get up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord!” but whiners choose instead to say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!” Second are the martyrs. Their favorite expression is, “Nobody appreciates me!” They’re pros at throwing pity parties. They pout and complain when they don’t get their way. Third are the cynics. Their attitude is, “Why bother? It isn’t going to make any difference.” They poison everything. Fourth are the perfectionists. Nothing is ever good enough for these complainers. Their favorite phrase is, “Is that the best you can do?” To me, the scariest verse in the Bible is Matthew 12:36: “Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” (NIV). That ought to send shivers up your spine. How many times have you complained, whined, or argued about something when you shouldn’t have been sweating the small stuff? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What do you consistently complain about in your life? Would you consider these things “small stuff”? Why or why not? How do “empty words” (Matthew 12:36) reflect a focus on the small stuff in life? How do you think complaining makes something that is difficult seem even worse? Our Gift: The Habits of Happiness Complete Audio Series Now—more than ever—people are yearning for true happiness. In this brand new 6-session DVD study kit study called The Habits Of Happiness Pastor Rick Warren will teach you “exercises for a happy heart”, and offer biblically based ways to develop a perspective of contentment. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren The Habits of Happiness teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: Grow Healthy Relationships Message 2: ​​​​​How ​to Be Happy No Matter What Message 3: ​The Humble Path to Happiness Message 4: ​How to Keep Your Heart Happy Message 5: ​Happiness Can Be Learned Message 6: ​Five Daily Habits for Happiness Message 7: ​How to Keep From Stressing Out Message 8: ​God's Promises to the Generous PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe