What Makes And Keeps A Person Happy?

        There is a mad rush these days to pursue or buy anything that will make one happy. It is like this 'happiness' helps one forget the sorry state of the economy, the mess of relationships or even the life the person is living. I once asked a colleague what makes him happy. His answers ended up confusing him when I asked a follow-up question to his answers: 'would the things mentioned give you happiness always?' He tried to argue that it is impossible to be happy always. This is a lie, and it is not of God. The happiness that flows from God is lasting, except we disconnect from Him! The short-lived one is NOT from Him! 

         In the Bible, a blessed man is said to be a happy man. Meaning, in some translations, the word 'blessed' is explained as being happy, content, or prosperous. Some dictionaries describe 'Happy' as a feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. Many times, happiness is always substituted for joy. Joy is mostly described as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Thus, they are used interchangeably. For this discourse, we will be taking a peek at happiness. 

        Because of the quest for the feeling of pleasure, and contentment, many embark on paths that lead them to temporary happiness, later, lingering sadness and misery follow. In the quest for this happiness, many feel that fun will make them happy. These throw themselves out to have all the fun they can get, whenever and wherever. Some feel if they work very hard, and make plenty of money, they will be happy. Some others believe if they walk and work in certain circles of influence, they will be happy, and many more other reasons. But truly, how many of these methods and measures have made the people happy, and remain so? 

       So many books have been written about the pursuit of happiness, and how to be and remain happy. As the age draws to a close (don't be deceived, it is drawing to a close) whether we like it or not, have all these pursuits resulted in lasting happiness? The best these methods can achieve is to create temporary happiness, that plunges the recipient into more gloom after the 'happiness' dissipates. The spiritual ones may argue that only Born Again Christians, or those that claim to serve God can truly be happy. If that is so, why do we have many within the Church fall into depression, discouraged, some have manic depression, have suicidal thoughts, commit suicide and the likes? 

       Going through the Scriptures, we will find that being a Born Again Christian is not enough to make one happy. It is a start, but it is not enough! In Proverbs 8:1-31, we see the description of Wisdom, how He stood by the Almighty's side throughout creation. Verse 30 tells us that Wisdom was the Architect (Skilled Craftsman) beside the Almighty: "I was beside Him like an architect, I was His daily source of joy, always happy in His presence—" (Proverbs 8:30, GNT). This was a direct reference to Jesus Christ. He was the One speaking in Proverbs 8 to His sons (people). Verses 32-34 of that chapter are quite instructional: “And now, My sons, listen to Me; those who keep My ways are happy. Listen to instructions and be wise; don’t ignore them. Anyone who listens to Me is happy, watching at My doors every day, waiting by the posts of My doorway" (Proverbs 8:32-34, HCSB). He was talking to His sons, yet He declared, 'those', 'anyone' among His sons who keep His word and listens to Him will be happy. This 'happiness' is not a temporary one based on certain indices on the ground, but because one listens to and walks in total obedience to the Master! 

        You may think it is when you marry that person of your dreams, get the dream job or project, live in the country of your dreams, or have the baby you so desire etc. All these will give you happiness that will not stand the test of time! So many are depressed, and miserable because what they hoped to find or the outcome they desired is not what they eventually got. Being happy continually is way beyond the physical, it is in God. And ONLY those that listen to Him and obey His instructions are and remain happy! 

       Beloved, you have tried severally to be happy and remain happy, but it is not working. It is time to turn to the Master! Being happy does not mean all your problems will fade away or there will be no moments of sadness, rather, it means, there is an assurance you carry in your heart that God Himself is in and with you...and the things that seem troubling will not overwhelm you: "For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on unseen things. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever" (2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 GNT). This thought alone floods your heart with so much joy (happiness)! Try it by believing it! 

        Therefore Beloved, get up from that seat of depression, misery, discouragement and sadness, search out and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ: "For whoever finds Me finds life And obtains favour from the Lord" (Proverbs 8:35, NKJV). God bless you!