True Happiness

This is a great picture, isn’t it? At first glance it almost looks real. But sadly, there are illusions even more convincing than this in peoples’ lives.

Many people today lead broken, discouraged, or mislead lives. But despite pain, guilt, or shame, they can successfully hide their troubles from most people.

Firstly, many of these pains and problems come from a simple, yet easily corrected issue: pride. And by pride, I don’t mean bragging about one’s success, or refusing help: I’m referring to the pride that keeps people from ADMITTING that they need help.

There are even Christians who face so many challenges in their daily lives, big and small, yet they don’t (or won’t) take it to God, and sincerely ask for His help.

And by sincerely, I mean humbly asking for His help, and accepting that the solution to the problem might not bring praise to themselves; that the solution might inconvenience them, or require personal sacrifice; or even that the solution might make waves in their social lives and work circles.

And this still links back to pride. Because all of these possibilities could do more than cost them money or gain: it forces them to admit that they were wrong, and will most likely show their piers that, as well.

In some cases, even if offered help, people still will not accept or act on it.

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

– Prov. 12:1

And even if we know what is right, and admit that it is so, God cannot bless idle thought. We must act and live Truth.

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

– Prov. 10:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew they my faith by my works.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

- Jam. 2:17-18 & 26

We are only human. We cannot possibly make it on our own and achieve any measure of genuine happiness, without Him in our lives. And even if one is saved, and will someday be in Heaven, it does not mean they will necessarily be happy in this life.

Because leading life in your own way, without a God-lead purpose, will continually lead to dissatisfaction, strife, and short-lived happiness:

Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded thee:

Because thou servedst not thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

- Deu. 28: 45 & 47-48

But true happiness can be found with God:

Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.

- 1 Chr. 16:27

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectations of the wicked shall perish.

- Prov. 10:28

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

- Psa. 45:7

And there are still many other passages that support the root of true happiness.

But the Bible is abundantly clear that happiness is no found in the world, or in following one’s own desires.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

- Jer. 17:9

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

- Pro. 4:23

And we were told this in advance; and even warned not to attempt it.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding.

- Pro. 3:5

No matter what struggles or problems we encounter or deal with, all can be overcome with God’s help. All we need do is humble ourselves, and ask with a willing and obedient heart.

We as human beings are very good at utilizing our sin nature; we’re very good at lying, and deceiving others. And that is especially true when regarding our own life problems.

But no matter how convincing the lie, or how good the illusion and façade, God will always know. And He cannot bless a false claim of obedience: only the genuine, and heart-felt act, will earn His presence.

ONLY a God-led life will bring true happiness & peace: His blood washes away our sins, and His presence and purpose wipe away our tears, and fill our hearts with joy.