I frequently have women tell me they just want to be happy. What
is it that makes us happy? How do we know when we are truly happy? A better
question would be should we be pursuing happiness?
is it that makes us happy? How do we know when we are truly happy? A better
question would be should we be pursuing happiness?
When a woman realizes she is not happy her
first reaction is to try to change some external thing to try and make herself
feel better. She might dye her hair or go for a new style, redecorate the house,
go shopping and buy something for herself, have a baby, get married, get
divorced, take a mental vacation or a real vacation, commit emotional or
physical adultery, or over-commit to avoid thinking and feeling anything at
all. Some people abuse drugs or alcohol when they are very desperate.
first reaction is to try to change some external thing to try and make herself
feel better. She might dye her hair or go for a new style, redecorate the house,
go shopping and buy something for herself, have a baby, get married, get
divorced, take a mental vacation or a real vacation, commit emotional or
physical adultery, or over-commit to avoid thinking and feeling anything at
all. Some people abuse drugs or alcohol when they are very desperate.
Sometimes those things actually work- for
a while. Having those desires sated might make a woman very happy until the
bill comes, or she loses her spouse.
a while. Having those desires sated might make a woman very happy until the
bill comes, or she loses her spouse.
What I have seen in others (and learned myself) is that even while
we are busy being “happy” on the outside, we can be empty and
miserable on the inside.
we are busy being “happy” on the outside, we can be empty and
miserable on the inside.
There is no peace, no contentment in being
a spoiled brat. You will notice this in small children who beg and plead,
manipulate and tantrum until the parent gives in and buys them what they want.
The contentment and happiness they enjoy in possessing this brand new thing
lasts about one night, and then there is a new desire.
a spoiled brat. You will notice this in small children who beg and plead,
manipulate and tantrum until the parent gives in and buys them what they want.
The contentment and happiness they enjoy in possessing this brand new thing
lasts about one night, and then there is a new desire.
Why is this? The problem is that this
happiness is based on human things; it is temporary, hollow, superficial and
circumstantial. False happiness comes from buying into the worlds ideas of
having more and more. This is selfish and is the result of our failure to see
the difference between receiving good things from God and taking what we want
on our own terms.
happiness is based on human things; it is temporary, hollow, superficial and
circumstantial. False happiness comes from buying into the worlds ideas of
having more and more. This is selfish and is the result of our failure to see
the difference between receiving good things from God and taking what we want
on our own terms.
Our own terms usually do not include God,
and this is one reason we are discontent even when we get what we want. The
Lord does not want us to be happy and content apart from Him. He is a
relational God and He created us to fellowship with Him and made it possible
for us to do so through Christ.
and this is one reason we are discontent even when we get what we want. The
Lord does not want us to be happy and content apart from Him. He is a
relational God and He created us to fellowship with Him and made it possible
for us to do so through Christ.
We find an excellent example of today’s
lesson in the parable of the prodigal in Luke 15. While this parable is more
about the father than the son, for our purposes today we will look at the son.
lesson in the parable of the prodigal in Luke 15. While this parable is more
about the father than the son, for our purposes today we will look at the son.
You probably know the story already- the
son wanted his inheritance, and used it to obtain all the things the world had
to offer. He was overconfident and self-righteous and thought he knew what he
needed to make him happy. By the biblical account, he lived a self-indulgent
life that was full of parties and immorality. He indulged in all the sin his
heart desired, spent all the money, and soon wound up homeless and penniless.
son wanted his inheritance, and used it to obtain all the things the world had
to offer. He was overconfident and self-righteous and thought he knew what he
needed to make him happy. By the biblical account, he lived a self-indulgent
life that was full of parties and immorality. He indulged in all the sin his
heart desired, spent all the money, and soon wound up homeless and penniless.
He wound up living in a pig pen.
What he learned was that sorrow,
disillusionment and disappointment usually follow decisions and changes made
based on emotion and changeable feelings. It is foolish to rely on or trust feelings
to guide our lives.
disillusionment and disappointment usually follow decisions and changes made
based on emotion and changeable feelings. It is foolish to rely on or trust feelings
to guide our lives.
So, if we cannot rely on feelings, or
follow our hearts, then what are we to find genuine happiness?
follow our hearts, then what are we to find genuine happiness?
Our feelings, though given to us by God
were never intended to be the basis of our decisions and the changes we make in
life. Feelings are tricky and sneaky because in case you haven’t noticed, they
change by the hour or even by the minute.
were never intended to be the basis of our decisions and the changes we make in
life. Feelings are tricky and sneaky because in case you haven’t noticed, they
change by the hour or even by the minute.
Our feelings (like everything else) are to
be under the control of the Holy Spirit and are not to rule over us. We are to
submit our powerful feelings and emotions to authority of the Word of God.
be under the control of the Holy Spirit and are not to rule over us. We are to
submit our powerful feelings and emotions to authority of the Word of God.
Happiness is characterized by joy, inner
contentment and peace, and confidence in a loving God. This is a gift from God
and cannot be conjured up through circumstances and buying power. This is
something many people are discovering in our current economy; “stuff”
does not buy happiness! Being happy does not come from circumstances, you can
be happy in spite of them. I find I am “happy” when I am making
right, God honoring choices and decisions.
contentment and peace, and confidence in a loving God. This is a gift from God
and cannot be conjured up through circumstances and buying power. This is
something many people are discovering in our current economy; “stuff”
does not buy happiness! Being happy does not come from circumstances, you can
be happy in spite of them. I find I am “happy” when I am making
right, God honoring choices and decisions.
As you determine to glorify God in your
life you will be supernaturally transformed. You will discover happiness in
Christ and Christ alone and I promise you- you will have inner peace and quiet
contentment in spite of your circumstances.
life you will be supernaturally transformed. You will discover happiness in
Christ and Christ alone and I promise you- you will have inner peace and quiet
contentment in spite of your circumstances.
A part of making this decision is to grant
God access to those areas of your heart that are currently off limits to God
and His Word. These are the places you keep your secret sins and the
untouchable idols of your heart that you really don’t want God or anyone else
messing with.
God access to those areas of your heart that are currently off limits to God
and His Word. These are the places you keep your secret sins and the
untouchable idols of your heart that you really don’t want God or anyone else
messing with.
These too must be yielded to God as a part
of turning over all of your heart, soul, mind, and body to Him. Romans 12:1-2
says
of turning over all of your heart, soul, mind, and body to Him. Romans 12:1-2
says
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may
prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may
prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
This is a part of growing wisdom in your
heart and life.
heart and life.
We are not a licensed counseling agency, nor are we psychologically or medically trained therapists. We offer ‘pastoral’ counseling intended to bring life change through heart change.
thanks so much for sharing this, very timely and insightful! I, too, am learning that the most important thing in life is to have peace with God, and we are able to have that through Jesus.
I really like where you said: "I find I am "happy" when I am making right, God honoring choices and decisions."
here's to a Christ-centered life!