The scent of lilacs, honeysuckle, and Eucalyptus. A cool breeze ruffling my hair while the sun warms my shoulders. The chuckle my husband lets out when I surprise him with a joke or dry comment. The cuddles and puppy kisses my dog gives in the mornings. All of these things bring happiness to my heart and mind.
But that happiness is just as fleeting the next moment when something goes wrong. Along with the scents of flowers comes oppressive humidity, the warmth on my shoulders becomes a sunburn, or the puppy cuddles result in the dog running when he’s let out to do his business.
Happiness itself means “the state of being happy (showing pleasure or contentment)”. Contentment is fleeting when it relies on outside forces such as the weather, family, jobs, or hobbies.
But something even better than happiness is available to all of us: Joy. In John 15:9-11 Jesus said,
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Joy is a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. While I am made happy by God’s creation I am even more happy knowing that Jesus is inside of me and sharing his love and joy.
Last week we had a worship night at church and amongst all the struggles I was/am dealing with it was so nice to stop and just sing praises to God. I can feel peace and joy when I focus on my heavenly Father. I know that he is powerful, faithful, loving, and forgiving.
Where do you find your happiness? Do you find it comes and goes from moment to moment? If so it might be because you’ve put your happiness into things of this world instead of the consistent happiness that can be found in God.
Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.
Photo by Jacqueline Munguía on Unsplash