The following are going to be some devotionals on the pursuit of happiness. They could be very surfacy with nothing deep or lasting about them if it were not for our Christian faith. One of the greatest tragedies of our modern culture is that too many people aren’t happy regardless of their wealth. Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” Someone else said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it.”
A few years ago, I joined a medical team dealing with aids orphans in Kenya. These were kids who had been orphaned because their parents died with aids. However, the Kenyan Christians were some of the happiest people even though they were living in poverty and with death all around. They knew that genuine happiness is always a byproduct of holiness. If we also get our life right with God, then happiness will follow. There may be some things we’re not happy about, but real happiness is about meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life.
Psalm 16:11 put it this way, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire.” What is your heart’s desire? The world’s concept of happiness is dependent on good things happening. The Christian concept of happiness depends on a good God. Which will you choose?