Happiness, it seems, is the pursuit of all but the experience of few. Many have commented that the one sure way not to be happy is to make happiness our chief goal and pursuit.
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. “You will never live life if you are looking for the meaning of life”, wrote Albert Camus.
Happiness in my experience and observation of others comes as a by-product of honouring God and serving others.
In the 18th Century William Law wrote, “if anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness they would tell you to make it a rule to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is certain that whatever calamity befalls you, if you can thank and praise God for it you will turn it into a blessing.”
Behind Law’s words is the conviction that God is loving, in control of all things and can be trusted. What a difference this makes to life. These convictions are demonstrated by Jesus’ life, death and glorious resurrection and can be proved in our own experience.
When we seek to serve others, we not only take our mind off ourselves but we are living life the way that God made us for. This is the way He has wired us. Barbara Johnson, no stranger to life’s sadness, said that “happiness is like jam: you can’t spread it without getting some on yourself.” Wise advice especially as many of life’s circumstances are so often messy.
Seen in this light happiness becomes our choice. It is not the result of our feelings or what happens to us but how we respond to life’s happenings. Our response, upwards, of thankfulness to God and outwards, to others in a Christ-like manner, will determine our happiness or sadness.
- Choose to love rather than hate
- Choose to smile rather than frown
- Choose to build rather than destroy
- Choose to preserve rather than quit
- Choose to praise rather than gossip
- Choose to heal rather than wound
- Choose to give rather than grasp
- Choose to act rather than delay
- Choose to forgive rather than curse
- Choose to pray rather than despair
These words, whilst challenging, when embraced with God’s help offer a well tried path of happiness.