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Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy
Counselor and author Leslie Vernick has discovered that many people pray, “Lord, I just want to be happy!” With candor, Leslie reveals that readers don’t need new circumstances but a new perspective to discover true happiness. With biblical insight, Leslie guides readers to take simple steps as they… Application questions help readers work godly thinking, as well as healthy skills and habits, into their lives and hearts. They’ll discover that, even if nothing changes in their circumstances, their inner chains can be broken and they can go free…into a new path of real hope and happiness.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
41 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 8, 2009
This book, as ALL of Leslie's books, is packed with practical help and inspiring challenges. We're made to be happy, Leslie says, and then she presents a road map to lead us there, heart, mind, and spirit. She doesn't promise an easy journey, but her directions are clearly drawn and accessible. This book is full of insight rooted in scriptures. She sets out to challenge the average person's view of the way life is "supposed to" work and the way Christians are "supposed to" be, then she replaces false notions with enduring wisdom that creates space in life for enduring happiness.
In my life, long-term change comes slowly, and I have to keep reminding myself of what's true. I'll be shelving this book on my physical bookshelves alongside my other Leslie Vernick favorite, How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong, for future reference.
In my life, long-term change comes slowly, and I have to keep reminding myself of what's true. I'll be shelving this book on my physical bookshelves alongside my other Leslie Vernick favorite, How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong, for future reference.
April 19, 2012
I think what I like best about this book is that the author says that our happiness needs to come from inside ourself, from the light of Christ within each of us. No matter your circumstance, you can change your attitude and strive to be happy. Also, that this life isn't supposed to be easy, we are supposed to go through pain and hardship, but we can choose to feel better during the trials. I also like how she uses lots of scriptures to back up her opinions. These are some of my favorite quotes:
Happiness is in finding God, and in finding God, you find yourself.
Happiness isn't about feeling fabulous and never feeling pain. It's about feeling pain and finding purpose. It's about experiencing joy, hope, love, and peace in the midst of our tears.
Happiness is in finding God, and in finding God, you find yourself.
Happiness isn't about feeling fabulous and never feeling pain. It's about feeling pain and finding purpose. It's about experiencing joy, hope, love, and peace in the midst of our tears.
October 11, 2025
I really like this book.
My key takeway is: "Decide today, I will no longer allow how others treat me, as well as my own negetive feelings and thoughts, to dominate my life."
- Yes, this I decided today.
My key takeway is: "Decide today, I will no longer allow how others treat me, as well as my own negetive feelings and thoughts, to dominate my life."
- Yes, this I decided today.
March 5, 2019
Lots of good insight with real stories to support
July 22, 2022
Too wordy. Just might not have been my time to read.
February 6, 2023
Easy to read self-help and Christian faith-based.
September 22, 2024
Very helpful
April 11, 2020
Get away from temporary stimulation. Stop being the hamster on the wheel- get away from the roller coaster ride. You have control over your own life. Watch your mind and your body when it is by itself. (You can literally do this. Be still.) Kick that ego out -the ego that's trying to tell you what you should do to be happy. We need to be at peace and be contented right now, right where we are. Be calm.
Unrealistic expectations will not make you happy.
Don't believe you are better than everyone else.
Don't believe you deserve more than you have and more means more happiness.
Don't believe that life should be easy and fair.
It is a fact that no one gets what they fully desire.
It is a fact that no one gets everything in life that they want.
Our culture says demand your rights and feel entitled
It is a fact that we will never find true happiness at the expense of others.
By hurting someone else you might think you gain happiness but it will never work.
The real question we are asking is WHAT IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE?
A life filled with possessions, power or popularity will not give you happiness joy and peace or an internal sense of well-being. Some traditions say: Surrender all or Let go of the touchy feely things, the frills, the extras. An expensive ring; an expensive purse or a gym subscription is a temporary fulfillment.
For today, this toy, this car, this boyfriend (or girlfriend) will supposedly make you happy forever then when you get it, a few days later, it lies under your bed not used and abandoned; then tomorrow you seek another new "toy" that will fill that inner empty feeling... and then and then...
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else. C. S. LEWIS
Happiness consists in finding out precisely what the one thing necessary may be in our lives and in gladly relinquishing all the rest. THOMAS MERTON
There is nothing better than being wise; being better able to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes and gives gentleness to words and manners. SOLOMON in ECCLESIASTES 8:1
Taste and see the Goodness of the Lord- Delete the hunger for gold.
Unrealistic expectations will not make you happy.
Don't believe you are better than everyone else.
Don't believe you deserve more than you have and more means more happiness.
Don't believe that life should be easy and fair.
It is a fact that no one gets what they fully desire.
It is a fact that no one gets everything in life that they want.
Our culture says demand your rights and feel entitled
It is a fact that we will never find true happiness at the expense of others.
By hurting someone else you might think you gain happiness but it will never work.
The real question we are asking is WHAT IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE?
A life filled with possessions, power or popularity will not give you happiness joy and peace or an internal sense of well-being. Some traditions say: Surrender all or Let go of the touchy feely things, the frills, the extras. An expensive ring; an expensive purse or a gym subscription is a temporary fulfillment.
For today, this toy, this car, this boyfriend (or girlfriend) will supposedly make you happy forever then when you get it, a few days later, it lies under your bed not used and abandoned; then tomorrow you seek another new "toy" that will fill that inner empty feeling... and then and then...
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else. C. S. LEWIS
Happiness consists in finding out precisely what the one thing necessary may be in our lives and in gladly relinquishing all the rest. THOMAS MERTON
There is nothing better than being wise; being better able to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes and gives gentleness to words and manners. SOLOMON in ECCLESIASTES 8:1
Taste and see the Goodness of the Lord- Delete the hunger for gold.
January 27, 2010
My thoughts so far... This is another one of those books that I would have just skimmed, but after being so affected by reading Don't Quit in the Pit the other day, I knew that this was one that God meant for me to read in full. After reading the first part (of three parts) I can tell you that I am going to look for other books from Leslie Vernick in the future easily. She is right on key and knows what she is talking about. So far it seems that she is able to point out the issues in my own life and explain them without causing more frustration. That in itself to me is unexplainable, because normally books like this say "this is wrong, fix it" and I just want to fight them off. With her descriptions, I find myself thinking, "ah.. I can see that". I look forward to reading the rest of this book and I already feel that it has been a blessing to my life and my thoughts. I recommend this book to literally anyone especially those from my life years ago.
***Special thanks to David P. Bartlett of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
***Special thanks to David P. Bartlett of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
May 19, 2010
Really liked this one, Leslie...good job overall with good advice and not just happy talk.
November 23, 2010
Christian self-help about finding contentment. Good advice...nothing new and earthshattering.
January 21, 2011
Overall good book with practical ways to use her suggestions. I shared the contents with several other friends and found her words very encouraging.
June 2, 2012
Leslie did a 4 week webinar based on this book. Both my husband and I listened to the webinar and found it very helpful!
dnf
September 14, 2024I read a little over 45 pages before giving up. Perhaps it's just not the season I'm in to read this, as I do feel content. Message was fine, just not my season
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews