By Ambrose .J. Chakre
Happiness is not found in our wealth or possession. Temporary pleasures may be derived from the things of the world. But everlasting cannot be gained from it. The words joy ecstasy and pleasure are somewhat relevant to the virtue of happiness. But it is not what happiness is derived from. Pleasure is the gratification of oneself but sacrifice is the ultimate source of happiness. We share and love at jokes just to amuse ourselves with. Sometimes we watch comedies on the telly just to ease our mind. These means of entertainment entertains us but it doesn’t really give us the satisfaction of the inner peace which we desire. Help is often sought to drive the blues away. Finding a good wife or a loving husband might make us happy for a short period of time. Or temporary pleasures may be found in the form of sin. It has to be made clear that the pleasures you derive from it can be disastrous and destructive. You must be familiar with Nirvana, an alternative band of the early eighties whose lead singer committed suicide. Kurt Cobain became a victim of stress. The fame the riches and the girls couldn’t give him solace. Ultimately he went to the grave with the dead. A person of such charisma fell victim to the things he thought was worth it. In his quest for fame, fortune and wealth, he became enslaved to it which finally sucked the life out of him. He got everything he wanted but happiness eluded him. This vividly explains that happiness is not found in the things of the world.
The Word states “the world and its desires will pass away but the man who does the will of God lives forever. Everything that is written is coming to pass and will come to pass. Those seeking happiness and solace ought to search in the right places. A person can be happy only when he or she finds solace in. its not in the mystic form of yoga but in the comforting form of prayer. This is further evidenced in Proverbs 16:20 which says whoever trust in the Lord happy is he and also in Psalm 46:5 which says happiness comes to those who find their help and hope in the Lord. Happiness is found in the heart of the person who knows God. It cannot be purchased but it can be gained through our relationship with Him. Your wife may desert you, your husband may cheat on you, your children may cause you heart ache, your friends may betray you but there is someone who will never fail you nor forsake you.
The foundation you have on Christ will determine the happiness you find in Him. When you are Christ cent red you will have an inclination to be all that Christ is. Thinking of yourselves less, doing good to others, giving thanks to the Lord and living in harmony with all those around you will give you a sense of satisfaction. A friend whom I consider as a sister once said to me “if you wait for happy moments you will wait forever but if you start believing that you are happy, you will be happy forever. That saying was quiet relevant to the concept I had about it. You can only be what you want to be. The Word says seek and you shall find it. If we go in search of it the certainty is that we will find it provided we search in the right places. You don’t have to walk miles and miles in search of it. What is right in front of you (the Bible) is the answer to all of it. It’s all about faith. Believe and obey what it says I guarantee that you will never be the same again.
