This is something I have been thinking long and hard about. What is happiness and what does it look like? After finally coming up with my well thought out answer it looked like this:
Happiness is being financially free
Happiness is everyone being saved
Happiness is being able to travel
Happiness is not having to work a 9-5
Happiness is doing things that makes me happy
Happiness is being worry-free!
Although some of these things are not bad things…(AHA moment Darlene!) these are just things. One thing I do know for sure, there is a Person, a Man I know personally that can give me these things (I know I am so undeserving, and I am thankful for HIS GRACE). Wouldn’t you like to know who this Person IS? Jesus Christ! Not only can He truly give me these things but He Himself is happiness. He is Love!
I also want to intertwine both love and happiness with these two passages:
1 Corinthians 13:4 -7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I absolutely love what Paul was saying in Philippians 4: 10 -12 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Wow can we talk about this part–> I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Whenever I am down about certain life situations or feel incredibly down, God is so good by bringing me back to these passages. Sometimes I would ponder and say to myself, “I have learned to be content in all circumstances” then right after I am saying “How is this possible”? (Shaking my head). I am here to remind you God’s Word is alive so therefore it is TRUE! These are God’s promises, it cannot fail. I am learning to apply these scriptures to my life daily.
It’s one thing to read God’s word and another thing to actually apply it. When I read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 it is a reminder of what love truly is. Ever been in a position where someone just rubs you the wrong way or just plainly sent by the devil to come and destroy you? Imagine that same person is aggravating you and God goes: “love… is not easily angered”. Your reaction will probably be, “really God? you’re reminding me of this scripture right now”? Am I the only one that thinks like this?
I am happy that God reminds me of His love for me in many different ways. The more He does, the more I am able to show it to others; especially the ones that hurt me the most. No one can show me love like the way Jesus Christ showed it when He died on that cross. I am forever grateful!
