Happiness Is...!

Happiness is…! There may be innumerable ways to complete that statement; some we might agree with and others we might not. Bumper stickers and posters have displayed such things as “… driving a sports car”, “…having a full stomach”, “…winning the lottery”, “…getting even with your boss”, etc.
However, happiness associated with such things is short lived. We must understand that happiness is more a state of mind than it is a thing to accomplish or get. Happiness is a byproduct of a properly focused and lived life.

Someone has stated, “Happiness is never stopping to think if you are.”
[source: calendar quote]

If we have to stop and ask ourselves if we are happy, it may mean we have not focused on life as we should. We may have attached our happiness to things and good circumstances and situations rather than the important and lasting things of God. And unless we truly recognize what life associated with God is all about, there is nothing this world can offer that can truly bring us lasting happiness.

What was to be enough to bring happiness to Israel?
“HAPPY ARE YOU, O Israel! Who is like you, A PEOPLE SAVED BY THE LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.”
( Deuteronomy 33:29 ESV)

BEING SAVED. Does that thought bring us a sense of happiness? Does it fill us with a sense of lasting joy? Is there a true sense of satisfaction and worth of living righteously associated with being SAVED BY THE LORD?

Peter encouraged with reference to faith in our relationship with Christ…
“(8) Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and REJOICE WITH JOY THAT IS INEXPRESSIBLE and filled with glory, (9) OBTAINING THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH, THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.” ( 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

Other translations refer to the salvation as the “end” (ASV, KJV) or “goal” (NIV) of faith. When SALVATION is the end or goal we have in mind and we have accepted the assurance of it, the byproduct of such a life will be a deep and abiding happiness like no other that can be experienced in this realm. May we retain a proper perspective that brings us the abiding happiness God desires us to possess.

Have a great day TRULY HAPPY IN THE LORD!
Carl

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