Why Not Be Happy?

Chuckle: What is an eyedropper (i-drop-ur)? A clumsy ophthalmologist.

Quote: "Man still wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible." --St Augustine of Hippo

"So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God" (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NLT).

God wants His people to be happy and optimistic about today and the future. I don't think it pleases our Lord when we are grouchy, grumpy, and pessimistic Christians. It's sometimes easier, however, for us to dwell on the things that are wrong and unpleasant in our lives than to focus on all the blessings that God gives us every day. As I read this passage, I'm reminded of another one: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17 NIV).

I think we often look for happiness in the wrong places. It's tempting for us to look at the years gone by as times of true happiness. We may say something like, "Oh, how I wish I could go back to those good old days!" We can fail to see all the reasons we should be happy today rather than dwelling on the past. God wants us to enjoy life and be happy in our relationship with Him today and every day, even in the face of physical limitations, pain, heartache, financial difficulties, etc.

You may say, "But Jerry, you don't understand. With all my problems, I just don't have much to be happy about." I do understand the feeling, but I'm also convinced that we sometimes let such feelings overtake us without taking inventory of the positive and happiness producing blessings available to us -- our children, grandchildren, other family members, friends, fellow believers, and most of all, a God that loves us with a love that exceeds our ability to fully understand.

True happiness is a matter of choice. When we chose to look to God for happiness rather than the past or our current circumstances, we are often amazed at how our attitude toward life changes and we find ourselves being happy in spite of the difficulties and challenges we face. With the proper view of God, we will find happiness as we enjoy all the good gifts He showers on us. What is it in your life that really makes you happy?

"Happy the man (person) to whom 'tis given

To eat the bread of life in heaven;

This happiness in Christ we prove,

                                      Who feed on His forgiving love."

--Charles Wesley Hymn

Love, Jerry & Dotse