Happiness is a choice. It is a daily offering of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for love, health, and strength to pursue one’s interests. Many people consider happiness as a monumental goal of acquiring social, educational and vocational distinctions. We waste precious time, talent, and money chasing the wind. Rather than directing those assets toward an intangible goal, which constantly shifts, we can focus upon the people and activities which daily enrich our lives. Gratitude for the daily bounty of God’s love as given by our loved ones and the blessings of purposeful work equals the choice of happiness.
When is enough actually “enough?” That is the question that we often ask people who seemingly are never satisfied. If they buy a new car, within months, they are talking about the next one. When blessed with a new house, they insist that it is still not their dream house. Upon being promoted, they are already thinking about the next level rather than trying to excel where they are. Within two weeks of buying an electronic gadget, they plan the next purchase of the newest entertainment item. These people cannot enjoy their vacation because they are imagining a more perfect one. It is hard to be happy when one does not know what will really and truly make one happy.
Again, happiness is a daily and internal choice. The reason some folks never know when enough is enough is they fail to appreciate the reality that materialism and social status cannot fundamentally make anyone happy. The secular and humanistic concept of “rugged individualism” teaches one to achieve to the superlative degree. Yet, those measuring standards are never stable. One never knows when one has become “successful” and thus has the right to be happy. Therefore, one should look inside for happiness. It cannot be imposed from the outside. Happiness flows from the heart.
The fallacious pursuit of externally defined happiness leaves one frustrated, fearful and hopeless. If you pray, God will reveal to you what will genuinely make you happy. Because there are parts of our characters and personalities that are undisclosed to us, we ask God to reveal them to us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. The psalmist, in Psalm 139, reminds us that God knew us before we were even born. Instead of depleting ourselves within the fruitless search for external happiness, we go directly to the source of every good and perfect gift. God graciously shows us the gifts, talents and passions that He deposited within us. This spiritual perspective equips us to find happiness in the daily utilization of our God given abilities.
Happiness is fundamentally found in the will of God. When we approach the sacred season of Advent which celebrates the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we immediately become joyous. The thought of Christmas raises expectancy and hope. Unfortunately, all that some of us hope for are materials gifts under the tree. Within weeks, we disregard them and look toward our birthday gifts. Nonetheless, Christmas makes us happy because of the spiritual gifts that God offers in the Christ child. Jesus comes to give us a choice of true happiness, the abundant and eternal life that He offers through His teachings and life. As we align our wills with His, we will know the meaning of genuine happiness.
In order to know the true meaning of Christmas and the happiness that Christ extends, one must be willing to travel to Gethsemane. At that garden, Jesus says the ultimate prayer for believers. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” God blesses us with happiness, as we become willing to shed our selfish desires.
We ask Him to burn away the dross of self-seeking ambitions and self-centered fear. When we discard those tremendous liabilities, then we are able to experience daily happiness. We appreciate our loved ones. We are thankful to serve God as we serve others. We find happiness in the simplicity of hearth and home. We know the joy of sacrifice, realizing that it equates with the love of God in Christ. Nonetheless, we can only receive these spiritual gifts if we humbly and sincerely pray the words of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. As we straightforwardly face our daily fears, we say, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” When we live within the will of God, we know a new happiness and a new freedom. Living in the will of God is the clearest indication that we choose to be happy each day of our lives.
When is enough actually “enough?” That is the question that we often ask people who seemingly are never satisfied. If they buy a new car, within months, they are talking about the next one. When blessed with a new house, they insist that it is still not their dream house. Upon being promoted, they are already thinking about the next level rather than trying to excel where they are. Within two weeks of buying an electronic gadget, they plan the next purchase of the newest entertainment item. These people cannot enjoy their vacation because they are imagining a more perfect one. It is hard to be happy when one does not know what will really and truly make one happy.
Again, happiness is a daily and internal choice. The reason some folks never know when enough is enough is they fail to appreciate the reality that materialism and social status cannot fundamentally make anyone happy. The secular and humanistic concept of “rugged individualism” teaches one to achieve to the superlative degree. Yet, those measuring standards are never stable. One never knows when one has become “successful” and thus has the right to be happy. Therefore, one should look inside for happiness. It cannot be imposed from the outside. Happiness flows from the heart.
The fallacious pursuit of externally defined happiness leaves one frustrated, fearful and hopeless. If you pray, God will reveal to you what will genuinely make you happy. Because there are parts of our characters and personalities that are undisclosed to us, we ask God to reveal them to us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. The psalmist, in Psalm 139, reminds us that God knew us before we were even born. Instead of depleting ourselves within the fruitless search for external happiness, we go directly to the source of every good and perfect gift. God graciously shows us the gifts, talents and passions that He deposited within us. This spiritual perspective equips us to find happiness in the daily utilization of our God given abilities.
Happiness is fundamentally found in the will of God. When we approach the sacred season of Advent which celebrates the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we immediately become joyous. The thought of Christmas raises expectancy and hope. Unfortunately, all that some of us hope for are materials gifts under the tree. Within weeks, we disregard them and look toward our birthday gifts. Nonetheless, Christmas makes us happy because of the spiritual gifts that God offers in the Christ child. Jesus comes to give us a choice of true happiness, the abundant and eternal life that He offers through His teachings and life. As we align our wills with His, we will know the meaning of genuine happiness.
In order to know the true meaning of Christmas and the happiness that Christ extends, one must be willing to travel to Gethsemane. At that garden, Jesus says the ultimate prayer for believers. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” God blesses us with happiness, as we become willing to shed our selfish desires.
We ask Him to burn away the dross of self-seeking ambitions and self-centered fear. When we discard those tremendous liabilities, then we are able to experience daily happiness. We appreciate our loved ones. We are thankful to serve God as we serve others. We find happiness in the simplicity of hearth and home. We know the joy of sacrifice, realizing that it equates with the love of God in Christ. Nonetheless, we can only receive these spiritual gifts if we humbly and sincerely pray the words of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. As we straightforwardly face our daily fears, we say, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” When we live within the will of God, we know a new happiness and a new freedom. Living in the will of God is the clearest indication that we choose to be happy each day of our lives.
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