Give Up

Today I happened upon a list of things we, as humans, need to “give up” in order to find true happiness (I would credit the author, but there was no documentation on where this list came from). I found the list pretty thought provoking and wanted to share it. Instead of just posting the list – I researched Bible verses and matched them with each listed item. This (in my opinion) gives a more detailed look as to why giving up these “things” would bring happiness to our lives. I love when I find something as simple as this list that can help me to take time to reflect on what I can do to be a more positive person.

Give up your need to always be right

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NIV) “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

Give up your need for control

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”

Give up on blame

1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

Give up your self-defeating self-talk

Song of Solomon 4:7 (ESV) "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

Luke 12:7 "Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Give up complaining

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Give up your need to impress others

Philippians 3:3 (NLT) “Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”

Give up your resistance to change

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Give up labels

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Give up on your fears
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Give up the past

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Give up living your life to other people’s expectations

Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”