You Don’t Need Someone’s Approval To Be Happy1

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Habits of Happiness

You Don't Need Someone's Approval To Be Happy By Rick Warren — Feb 11, 2016 “It does not matter! I am happy about it — just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.” (Philippians 1:18 TEV) You can be happy no matter what happens in your life if you don’t let others control your attitude. In Philippians 1:15-17, Paul talks about four kinds of people who were affecting his ministry while he was in prison in Rome. There were some who he considered comrades and who encouraged him in his ministry. Others were criticizing, competing with, or conspiring against his ministry. “Some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine good will. These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison” (Philippians 1:15-17 TEV). Few things rob your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. Why? Because we all want to be loved. We all want approval. We want everybody to like us. Yet Paul says in Philippians 1:18, “It does not matter! I am happy about it — just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.” You don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. You’re as happy as you choose to be! If others are unhappy with you, that’s their choice. If you haven’t got someone’s approval now, you’re probably not going to get it. And you’re going to be miserable if you try to live for the approval of everybody else. Paul later explains in verses 29 and 30 why you can be happy no matter what: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (NLT). Paul says it is a privilege to suffer when you’re doing the right thing because you’re most like Jesus when somebody’s nailing you to a cross and trying to get at you. You can be happy no matter what happens if you look at every problem from God’s viewpoint and never let what other people say or do control your happiness. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over For whose approval have you been working? Why do you think you need that person’s approval? Why is there more freedom in God’s approval than another person’s? When you feel most attacked or criticized, how might God be working in you and through you? 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