Perfect happiness doesn’t exist
You Might Also Enjoy:
Where does your idea of perfect happiness come from? It could be a person, a job, a financial position, or whatever great set of circumstances you can imagine. But have you ever paused to consider the antithesis: that perfect happiness is unattainable?
Now ponder this question. Where does joy come from? I’m not talking about happiness. Happiness is a feeling. Joy is a choice. Most of us seek happiness from things. Joy is different. Joy is optional. It is rooted deep in what we believe and how we choose to move forward in life, despite of circumstances. Happiness is merely a by-product, and joy is the source. And I believe the only source to joy is with Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice.” Paul reminds us that no matter what is happening in our lives, that as long as we know the Lord as our Savior, we have every reason to walk in joy and rejoice! Always!
In the last 26 years of being a pastor, I have had a lot of conversations with people who are on the verge of making decisions. I’ve found that many people subscribe to a common belief in our culture to “do what makes you happy.” People have somehow made happiness the bar of life. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in being happy. Happiness is important, but it’s a terrible goal. Awful in fact. And it’s because we live in a broken and fallen world.
The human heart cannot be trusted. The Bible tells us the human heart is steeped in sin and selfishness. We are all born imperfect and with a sin nature. If we based our decisions on our selfish desires, and not according to values and morality, then where does that leave us? Pursing happiness, but leaving heartache in our wake.
Instead of putting our time and energy in achieving a feeling of happiness, we should wake up each day and choose to rejoice in the blessings God has given us. We find joy in the promises that are given to us, not in our current circumstances.
Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
He also said in John 17:13, “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”
It’s God’s desire that we experience a life full of joy no matter our circumstances! And according to these promises, God wants us to experience the full measure of joy that comes directly from Him! Joy is a source, and His name is Jesus!
-Chris Zarbaugh | Kensington Clinton Township, Lead Pastor
