What is happiness?

What is happiness?  Eight Nine

     Many have defined happiness as the pursuit of goals and life motives.  People pursue happiness with gusto.  Many believe that pursuit of wealth, family and personal life goals id the way to get and maintain happiness.  Others say happiness is attained through seeking a spiritual enlightenment thus the pursuit of eastern mysticism and religions.  The hedonistic view says, east, drink and mercy for tomorrow you died.  Solomon near the end of his life did this. 

     The Bible has a completely different view on the subject of happiness.  In fact it tells us not to pursue happiness at all because of its feeling manner.  For example there are people who suffer in winter with lack of sunlight.  When it is dreary and dark there are sad, gloomy and depressed.  When the sun comes out their disposition immediately changes.  Happiness is dependent on perspective and emotions.    How we view things and how they affect us mentally.  The Bible teaches about joy.  Hoy is a communicated attribute of God much like love.  It does not depend on circumstances, situations and people.  It does not depend on our emotional or intellectual status.  It is not dependant if people like or don’t like you.    It is rooted in God. 

     You can have joy when your world is falling apart around you.  You can have joy when all manner of sickness, disease and pain is present.  You can joy when all seems lost and hopeless.  Why?  Joy is that deep seated contentment that comes when you know God has everything control.  You love and trust God.  You know all things will work together for good.  You know that sorrow is but for a night and joy comes in the Morning.  You know that the joy of the Lord is your strength.  He will give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise to break heaviness.  Joy is faith in God’s love and His ability to create hope.  So today do not seek happiness but the Lord and you will find the joy that will be your strength.