I JUST WANT TO BE HAPPY!

SCRIPTURE:
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly 
Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom 
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 
(Matthew 6:32-33)

MEDITATION:
One of the greatest desires of most people is to be happy.
If I can just do (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.
If I can just get (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.
If I can just achieve (fill in the blank), then I will be happy.

There is a problem however.
People are searching and trying to find happiness in all the wrong places.
Some try to find happiness in a relationship, but when they are disappointed, 
they try another relationship, then another, etc.

With the availability of social media, 
many think they will find a relationship with someone they have never met.
Unfortunately, there are predators 
who take advantage of those searching for happiness in this way.

Some try to find happiness through getting as many possessions as they can.
When they find that happiness is still eluding them, 
they try to attain even more possessions.
It becomes a never ending, and costly, attempt at finding happiness.

Some try to find happiness through achievements.
When they achieve a goal and find that happiness is not there, 
they set new goals in hopes achieving happiness.
Achievements are certainly not bad things, but when they become 
our obsession for finding happiness, then we have the wrong motivations. 

Some accept Satan’s lies that they can find happiness through drugs or alcohol, 
but they soon discover that Satan did not tell them 
the consequences of seeking happiness in this manner.
As a result, they discover a greater level of unhappiness along with lack of control.

So, where in the world can a person find happiness?
The answer is, happiness is not found in the world, it is found out of this world.
We simply need to go to God’s Word if we want to find true happiness.
The Bible tells us that there are people who will “run after all these things” 
without considering that our Heavenly Father knows what we need to be happy.

Additionally, His Word tells us the ‘key’ 
to happiness – it is to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”.
That’s not the kind of answer some people want to hear.
They want to work toward achieving happiness without submitting to their Creator.
Isaiah implies that seeking the Lord has limitations.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." 
(Isaiah 55:6)

Doesn’t it just make sense that the One who created us 
knows exactly what we need to be happy?
That is why we are told to ‘connect’ with Him 
as our first, and only attempt to achieve true happiness. 
 
ACTION:
What about you and your happiness?
Have you decided to ignore God’s instructions for happiness 
and opted to pursue it in your own way?
Who do you believe - the world and your own ingenuity, or God’s Word?

If you are searching in all the wrong places, then try His instructions.
He loves you more than anyone else ever has, or ever will, 
and He knows the formula for your happiness.
Don’t buy into Satan’s lies that you can find happiness without God.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for not believing Your Word and Your 
instructions for finding true happiness. You know how I have been 
struggling to find happiness in my own way. Change my heart oh Lord 
so that I will exercise my faith and trust that Your Word is true. If 
I ever expect to find happiness, then I need to make You Lord of my life. 
Forgive me for not giving You, Your rightful place in my life. I want to 
find happiness, and I know that if I seek You first, You will provide me 
with exactly what I need for being happy. Thank You for loving me as
You do, even when I feel unlovable.”