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5 min readHow to Be Happy No Matter What Happens — Part 2
After his son Matthew died, Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay went through six months of what he calls "the most vile accusations" and "mean spirited" criticisms — armchair psychology from people who used the tragedy to attack them. When it was over, Warren recalls telling his wife: "Is that all you got? Is that the worst thing you can say?... I feel like I've been through the worst possible situation and the worst criticisms and attacks you can imagine. And I'm still standing by God's grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I feel fearless. What more can they do?"
That experience frames the second half of this message, which continues a series on managing stress and finding happiness regardless of circumstances. Warren works from Philippians chapter 1, where the apostle Paul writes from prison — old, in bad health, chained to a guard 24 hours a day, awaiting possible execution. Paul's situation is the episode's central case study: if anyone had reason to be miserable, it was him. Yet he describes himself as rejoicing.
The third principle: trust God to always work things out
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:33) **Introduction: Happiness is a Choice, Not a Circumstance** - Rick Warren sets up the final part of the message by framing happiness as a decision, not a reaction to events.
- 2 (02:29) **Principle 1: Remember God Can Bring Good Out of Anything** - This principle is briefly reviewed as the first key to maintaining happiness.
- 3 (03:17) **Principle 2: Never Let What Others Say Control Your Attitude** - This principle is reviewed and expanded with a powerful warning about seeking approval.
- 4 (05:32) **Principle 3: Trust God to Always Work Things Out** - The third key to happiness is a conscious decision to trust God, which is a choice of the will over fear.
- 5 (08:10) **The Link Between Happiness and Trust** - Warren emphasizes that happiness and trust are inseparable, and the choice to trust is a daily decision.
- 6 (10:35) **Principle 4: Stay Focused on Your Purpose, Not Your Problem** - The final and most important principle is introduced: happiness comes from living for a purpose greater than yourself.
- 7 (13:11) **The Secret of Happiness: Self-Sacrifice Over Self-Gratification** - Warren delivers the core thesis of the message, contrasting selfishness with self-sacrifice.
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