True Happiness Contributions by: Jon Elertson
problems, you will also escape becoming a son of God, and that is not a satisfactory alternative.” Happiness is not the opposite of prob - lems. Boredom is. And boredom is one of the greatest causes of unhappiness today. Wealth doesn’t bring happiness either. Many studies, papers and books have been written proving money is not the answer. It can pay for the electric bill and buy grocer - ies—but it can’t fix a broken marriage, heal depression, or repair intimate relationships. In fact, money often brings its own set of problems. As Christ said in Luke 12:15, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” True happiness comes as a byproduct from obeying the principles of life that God has given mankind. It is a marvelously con - structed spiritual shelter. Happiness is a protective roof that stands strong, support - ed by foundational pillars. The more pillars one has, the sturdier their shelter of happi- ness becomes. If neglected, that shelter will eventually collapse. THE PURPOSE OF LIFE Understanding why we were born and knowing the true God who created each one of us with a purpose. No matter how successful we are or how many possessions we can accumulate, hu- man beings will always feel lost without this understanding. Only true Christians that know and trust in the true God have this knowledge and the hope that comes with it. The following psalms are great illustrations of this principle: Psalm 146:5 — “ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. ”
Everyone wants to be happy. God wants His people to be the happiest on the planet. What is it that causes us to be happy? Only God’s way provides the answers. W hat is true happiness? Can we have it now—and in the future? Ask yourself: Am I really happy? No other question penetrates past our superficial masks of content - ment quite like this one. Why? Because it forces us to dig deep— past our goals, problems, possessions and even our hopes and dreams. It probes the most private corners of our hearts—places we rarely let anyone enter. And only we can truly answer it. We want that answer to be a resounding “yes.” But too often, it’s a hesitant “sometimes,” a confused “I’m not sure,” or even a discour- aged and embarrassed “No... I guess not.” If happiness is possible, and it is, how should we pursue it? What should a Christian’s attitude be toward happiness? THE COMMON MISBELIEF Deep within the human heart lurks a mistaken belief: “ If only I didn’t have these problems or these worries, then I’d be happy. ” But when we really stop and think, we realize that freedom from problems and worries does not bring happiness. Why? Because happiness is not the absence of problems. A person cannot be truly happy unless they are fulfilling their God-given purpose in life. And that purpose is not simply to “be happy,” as the world defines it. Consider this quote from Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong’s booklet Why Were You Born? : “God put us here to go through trials and troubles and problems! Why? For the purpose of building within you the character nec- essary to enter His Kingdom. Trials and problems serve to help develop you into a very son of God! If you somehow escape all
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