Contentment · Gratitude · Identity and Purpose · Spiritual Peace and Joy · Promises and Hope
Happiness: will we be happy, or are we happy?
4 min read, approximately
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
“I do not say this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever my situation.” (Philippians 4:11)
According to the dictionary, happiness is an emotional state produced when a person believes they have reached a desired goal. But if we examine that definition closely, we realize it could be fleeting or temporary. For example, we know of highly successful people who possess many things, yet feel empty and alone and have not a shred of happiness.
Yet there is the other side of the coin… When people say: “I was born without opportunities”, “If only I had had better parents”, “If only I had studied this or that… In short, ‘If only I had’”
What a dilemma! Is happiness something we attain, or something people have created to justify a moment of joy or gladness?
The Lord’s Word teaches us that happiness is not found in how much we achieve or possess:
“He said to them: Watch out and guard yourselves against all greed, for a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
“Command the rich of this age not to be arrogant or place their hope in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us everything abundantly to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)
So, what is happiness?
\1. Happiness is understanding that we are a miracle
“For you formed my inward parts and covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for your works are awe-inspiring and wonderful; I am filled with wonder, and my soul knows it well. My body was not hidden from you when I was formed in secret and woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body, and in your book were written all those things that were later formed, without one of them missing.” (Psalms 139:13-16)
\2. Happiness is understanding that everything we have is a gift
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)
\3. Happiness is understanding that when all was lost, Christ rescued us
“There is only one God, and only one who can bring us into peace with God: the man Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life to save the whole world. At the right time, God showed us that he wants to save everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
\4. Happiness is understanding that we are not waiting to be blessed… We are already blessed!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)
\5. Happiness is understanding that I am the Lord’s instrument to bless others
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And look, I am with you every day, until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
So let us remove the world’s programmed concept of happiness from our minds. Let us embrace what the Lord tells us in his Word, rejoice in what he has given us, and enjoy today! There may be no tomorrow!
What is stopping us? Will we be happy, or are we happy?
Smile, God loves you!
May God continue to bless you
and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook