1st Thessalonians 1:6, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.”
“Happiness” comes from the word “happens.” Happiness in life is determined
by what happens to you. Many people aren't happy, understandable. Life is
full of afflictions, health problems, sorrows, losses, burdens and
heartaches.
Unhappiness comes from looking for happiness. Unhappiness is the awareness of happiness. Unhappiness is the weighing of happiness. If you put happiness on the scale and weight it, you won't like it. Truly happy people don't continually monitor themselves to see if they're happy. The best thing you can do is to forget whether you're happy or not. Don't seek it. Don't plan for happiness.
The most miserable people in the world are people who say, “I'm going to have some fun today.” Don't relate life to having fun or being happy. Relate life with doing what God put you here to do, that is, to please Him (Revelation 4:11). Phooey on excitement! Phooey on joy! Phooey on happiness!
The Bible says that you find your life by losing it. Matthew 10:39, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Notice that the Bible doesn't say where you search. If you search for happiness in the world, you won't find it. If you search for happiness in spiritual things, you won't find it. That's right! If you seek for happiness in the Scriptures you won't find it. Nobody ever finds happiness by seeking it! The Bible says He that loseth his life shall find it. If you want to be happy, then stop wanting to be happy. Instead, focus on helping the hurting. Be a friend to those around you.
The United States is filled with people who take an assortment of prescription drugs and are depressed all the time. When we go to the store and are standing in the checkout line, we see magazines galore advertising. “How to be happy.” But they're all a waste of your money, because seeking happiness only brings more sadness and frustration. Happiness ought never enter our mind. Forget yourself. Focus on pleasing God and happiness will come up behind you and surprise you.
When you finally give up and say, “I might as well stop seeking for happiness, because I'll never find it.” That's the first step to being happy my friend.
Matthew 10:29-31, Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
