I have been in a dilemna lately about this very issue. I have realized something very important about happiness … it is dependent on circumstances and people. Two things that are never controlled. Two things that have no motivation to make you happy. So, when people ask are you happy, are they really asking, “What have your circumstances or the people whom you are around by choice or otherwise done lately to make you happy?”
We talk about love being a choice so is happiness a choice? Is my happiness going to be determined by people and by circumstances? If it is, I may be a really long and depressing day! Can I control the things that happen? Can I control what other people say or do? The answer is obvious but for some reason we are always trying to do that very thing.
If happiness is not a given in life (and it rarely is), then we must strive for something. If we do not have a goal for the day, we probably won’t meet it. (although I guess not having a goal and then subsequently not meeting that goal would actually be doing exactly what you planned)
But back to the point. The Bible tells us that we should learn to be content in our circumstances. Clearly Paul had some “unhappy” things going on and he had to come up with something to make sense of where he was and where God was leading him. Thus, contentment came up.
Being content … what does it really mean? Knowing that no matter what the only person who you should be set to please is God. Seeing that while people and circumstances do not have to go your way there is a peace in knowing that even if your time is up on this earth you have the only thing that truly matters. I know that no matter what happens or what I mess up God is truly the one person I have in my corner and that is more than enough.
So, happiness or contentment? Which will it be? Contentment has to win this round because I haven’t seen where happiness can be counted on at all times. That doesn’t mean that we can’t be happy or want to be happy, but making your reason for being connected to happiness will most assuredly make you a very unhappy person.
I’m so glad I found your blog! Now we can really keep up! Feel free to visit my best friend & I’s photography blog at http://www.anoziraphotography.blogspot.com………we are adding you as a new buddy! whoohoo!
—Laura
By: Laura on February 7, 2009
at 12:32 am
Why do you think I named my blog what I did? Happiness is fleeting… a transitory state. I enjoy it deeply while it lasts, but I know that it may be gone in a moment, replaced by something less enjoyable.
But contentment, I can strive to attain. I’m just trying to find the best, the workable, the manageable in any situation … knowing that God has a plan I cannot see.
So, I keep chasing contentment. Wanna chase it with me?
By: Chel on February 18, 2009
at 3:06 pm
Just dropping by.Btw, you website have great content!
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By: Sharelle on March 3, 2009
at 6:41 am
I totally agree…well said. Its funny though when I tell people this, they are shocked and feel sorry for me. Why? I think they don’t realize how much better it is to strive for contentment.
By: mzcherry98 on December 7, 2011
at 2:20 am