The Source of All Joy

I don’t know if it’s just me that notices this, but there seems to be a general lack of joy among the world’s population. Most of this can be linked to the current state of the economy. (I’m sure you’ve never heard that theory before!) Could it be possible that we don’t experience happiness because we are looking for it in all the wrong places? I will get back to this question in just a few sentences. Until then, I would like to share a few tips for living happier that you may or may not have thought about before.
The first tip is one that I always dread, but have never regretted. One way to live happier is to get more exercise! (I can hear the sighs and groaning as I type this) What you might not about exercise is that it “lowers the body’s levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.” (HowStuffWorks.com) Exercising also produces endorphins, a mood boosting chemical.
One must also learn to accept emotions, whether positive or negative. If you really pay attention to your feelings, you may find that your anger or sadness is related to something as simple as temperature or hunger. You should also learn to accept the feelings of others. It’s acceptable for other people to feel unhappy at times. Trying to understand the source of someone else’s discomfort (and possibly helping them with their problems) can make you happier.
As a final tip, did you know that having pets can make you healthier? The responsibility of having a pet can be tough but it can give one a sense of purpose, companionship, exercise (there it is again!), and general stress relief. As great as these bits of advice may be, true happiness is found in knowing God. Numerous scriptures support this fact, but Jer. 9:23-24 contrasts strength, wisdom, and riches to the understanding of God. Feel free to boast about knowing God, the source of all joy.