“Being happy” has become one of the main goals of modern life. But what do people seek when the say they want to “be happy”?
- They want to feel happy. They seek a pleasurable feeling.
Does It Work?
You get a new toy… a new house… a new job… a new spouse… Surely that will make you “happy.” Does it? Does it result in lasting happiness?
Define “Happy”
The English word “happy” comes from “hap” (like you happen upon something). It means favored or fortunate (something good “happened” to me today). And it results in a pleasurable feeling, but it is not in and of itself the feeling.
Webster’s Dictionary
“…he only can be esteemed really and permanently happy who enjoys peace of mind in the favor of God.”
Conclusion
You may “feel happy” with your new toy… or whatever novelty of the day is bringing you some form of fleeting entertainment. But that feeling is fickle and will soon fly away.
The only way to be truly happy is to know God through salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. [Gen 30.13]
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. [Deut 33.29]
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. [Job 5.17]
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. [Prov 3.13]
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. [Prov 16.20]