The Quest for Happiness

I read this quote recently: 

"Beware of destination addiction: a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, and with the next partner…" Robert Holden PHD 

How often have we fallen into that trap? Thinking that the next thing would finally make us happy. Advertisers prey on this all the time, whether it’s beauty products, clothing, tools, or vacation destinations; they all promise happiness, but do they ever deliver? 

We think happiness comes by focusing on self. We make everything about us and try to spoil ourselves into a state of happiness. No expense is spared, but happiness remains elusive.

I think one of the reasons the rich and famous are the most miserable of all is that they’ve tried it all and still haven’t found true happiness. They’ve spent thousands to make their bodies perfect, live in incredible mansions, have their choice of friends, are famous, eat the fanciest foods and drive the most exotic cars. Partners are easily replaced when romantic love dims, and no place on earth is out of their bounds to visit, yet true happiness is never attained. 

Did you know that Solomon, the wisest man on earth also pursued happiness? He writes in Ecclesiastes 2:10a …And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy… In the next verse he writes.. behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11b) 

So what’s the secret? 

Can we ever be truly happy? 

What if I said we are looking in all the wrong places? That happiness has nothing to do with how beautiful or wealthy or problem free we are, but everything to do with the One who made us? 

Think about it for a moment. Doesn’t it make perfect sense that the only One who can fill our hearts with the true happiness we crave is the One who made our hearts in the first place? Psalm 139:14 says I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  

Only when we abide in His presence will we ever experience true happiness. 

How can we come into the presence of God?

There is only one way: Jesus. 

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6 

Come to Jesus, come to Him with your sorrows and sins and disappointments. Turn away from your sins and empty, self-centered life, and turn to Him. Through Him we have access into the presence of God. The One who made us and in whose presence our hearts will find the true happiness it so longs for. 

All that the Father giveth me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. (Jesus) (John 6:37) 

What does it mean to abide in God's presence? It’s not just about sitting at His feet an hour every morning – even though that's a good start, but it’s abiding in Him and communing with Him all day long. It’s singing songs in your heart, praising Him with your lips and speaking to Him in prayer all throughout the day. It’s enjoying close communion with Him and listening to His Holy Spirit as He guides us, teaches and comforts us. It’s asking Him for direction and trusting His provision. It’s being unafraid of trouble because you know “Whom you have believed” and He is completely trustworthy. It’s knowing He keeps every single one of His promises that He has given us in His word and trusting and obeying Him even when we don’t understand and can’t see clearly. 

And then as we abide in His presence we can say with the Psalmist:  In thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11b