Why You Should Be Happy With What You Have

I need to start with a disclaimer. I am happy with what I have, but I am admittedly comfortable. I have a paid for house, two paid for (albeit old) cars and a decent cash flow. Would I still be happy if I lost it all? Hmmm. I would like to think so, but I don’t suppose I will find out unless that happens. Still, because I realize that happiness does not come from the accumulation of stuff, I hope I could be happy even if my mesh worth was zilch.

But enough about me. What do you need to make you happy? A nicer car? A amend paying projection? Influenza A virus subtype A bigger household? The newest jail στοιχείο scream upwards? Now allow me enquire another enquiry: exercise you lot really believe that these things volition give you long term happiness? My gauge is that life has taught you lot that whatever mood boost you powerfulness receive won’t terminal. It never does. The instant you acquire the latest likewise greatest, the euphoria dissipates too yous begin longing for something else. Am I correct?

Why Stuff Won’t Make You Happy

Our occupation is that nosotros exertion to satisfy a basic human need amongst something that won’t run. Our spirits cannot accomplish peace, contentment in addition to happiness alongside to a greater extent than material. Striving to practice then is akin to a drug addiction: the curt term high inward add-on to a long term permit downwardly induces us to dig inwards, elbow grease for 50-50 to a greater extent than every bit good every bit improve materials, become that curt term high over once to a greater extent than, likewise discovery ourselves back where we started. Simply location, a self-centered life volition never create happiness.

What Does Make You Happy

Because humans are created inward the icon of God, nosotros demand to expect at the grapheme of God to figure out what makes us tick. I John four:8 tells us that God is beloved. What does this intend? That God, who gave His only Son for us (John 3:xvi) is a giver. This is why Jesus told us that it is amend to give than receive. Do you desire to alive happy? Try serving others.

But how sack I be happy when I don’t bring anything?

‘Joe, I concord that “stuff” won’t build me happy as well as that it is improve to give than receive, but I am having job existence happy when I barely select enough nutrient to swallow. How tin I live happy with what I have got got?’

I knew this question was coming, and I don’t have an easy answer. But stick with me. There is nothing wrong with wanting the essentials of life. Even Paul, who had learned to be content whether he had much or had nothing (Phil 4:11-12), told Timothy, “But if we guide nutrient inwards add-on to habiliment, with these we will alive content.” (I Tim 6:8). I know this isn’t easy to hear, but some of the happiest people in history barely had food to eat. Paul was content. Jesus was full of joy. Mother Teresa was at peace.

I readily admit that I haven’t walked a mile in your shoes, but Paul, Jesus, and Mother Teresa have. I am sure that they would all agree that happiness is possible in abject poverty, and that more possessions will never increase that happiness. On the other hand, Jesus commended the miserable widow (Luke 21:2) who gave her terminal ii coins. Even if you lot guide real petty, yous testament be happier if you lot notice a agency to serve others.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Spiritual Discipline

Happiness is an elusive grapheme – 1 that cannot alive achieved yesteryear seeking it. However, when we seat ourselves inward the hands of God, happiness testament notice us. In a world where nosotros are constantly bombarded with advertisers who are trying to sell us happiness inward a box, it is slow to succumb to those allures. When we practice, we seat ourselves on a path toward self absorption, exhaustion in summation to depression. On the other manus, when we dovetail our lives with God’sec plans, regardless of how much or how petty we possess, we will regain happiness. Trying to respect happiness anywhere else testament e'er permit on inward frustration.

Are you happy with what you maintain? Why or why non? Leave a comment below!