In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Two | 07.27.12

When we determine to find happiness on our own outside of GOD's way of doing things, the burden to maintain that happiness squarely falls upon our shoulders.  However, seeking to live according to GOD's precepts insures our happiness because our GOD, the Faithful GOD, guarantees it.  Scripture says, "Happy are the people whose GOD is the LORD" (Psalms 144:15).  Therefore, allowing GOD to be LORD over ALL frees us of any responsibility to find our own happiness.  He assumes the responsibility of creating happiness for us.  However, we must be willing to accept the happiness GOD freely makes available to us as our LORD.

The Word of GOD clearly instructs us how to be happy.  But somewhere along the way, we find ourselves believing that we--in our own limited understanding--know better than GOD's Word what works for us.  If we are really honest with ourselves, we would admit that we get ourselves into more trouble than the enemy can be blamed for bringing.  Choosing to do anything contrary to GOD's way of doing things is the result of our own lack of belief that GOD will provide what will satisfy us.

WE determine what WE feel WE need right now, and WE go get it for OURSELVES instead of accepting as real and true the simple fact that GOD knows best what we require and has already seen to it that provisions are made for us.  Our problem is that we fail to make the connection that doubting both GOD's ability and His desire to provide ALWAYS leads to disobedience.  When we allow unhappiness to overtake us, THEN we choose to sin because human nature translates unhappiness as being suffering.  And when we experience suffering, human nature interprets that as our cue to take matters into our own hands and bring about for ourselves the satisfaction we so desire.

Check out "In Pursuit of Happiness - Part One" as well as "In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Three".