The Fastest Track to Personal Happiness

Jim Ladd

There are some portions of scripture that are complicated, culturally confusing, and overwhelming in their complex principles. There are also portions of the Scripture that are especially pointed, efficient, and simple to understand. In the latter, there is profound and simple-to-comprehend guidance that yields powerful fruit and reward.

Notice I said, “simple to understand”, not “easy to practice”. And while very little obedience to God is easy to practice, there are often simple road maps that God provides to satisfy the deep cries of our soul.

Psalm 1 is exactly one of these. It provides a simple pathway to personal happiness that is crystal clear and easy to understand. Check this out:

I want to be “blessed”. Blessed is simply translated “happy” but it also includes a depth of experience far deeper than surface happiness - it is a deeper joy and overall sense of well-being and confidence. 

So, how do I get there? Follow these simple, but focused, guides:


What Blessed people do not do:

  1. They do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly or wicked

  2. They do not stand in the pathway that sinners take

  3. They do not sit in the company of mockers


What Blessed people do:

  1. They delight themselves in the Word of God

  2. They meditate on the Word of God day and night

  3. They plant themselves by streams of water - that is, in nearness to the Living Water of the Spirit’s Presence and power


There it is! Your simple roadmap to personal happiness and spiritual security, wisdom, and fruitfulness.

It continually amazes me how we can violate such simple guidance and yet wonder why so much wreckage, pain, and frustration are found in our lives. Do not be unwise, but wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is!

Jim Ladd