When You're Happy and You Know It.....

Ecclesiastes 2: 1, "I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless."

Yesterday, our Pastor started a new message series called "When you're happy and you know it." It was such a great message, so I wanted to share it. 

Happiness is something almost everyone searches for. We have so many things in this world that promise us happiness, but they are all just empty promises.

King Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man who ever lived, and his experience with trying to find happiness is documented in Ecclesiastes Chapter 2.

Solomon tried, just like we do, trying to find happiness in three ways:

1. By accumulating things: He bought anything his heart desired. But the more you get, the more you expect. And eventually stuff gets old. 

2. Experiencing pleasure: He had around 700 wives and 300 other women, along with all of the wine he wanted. He could use any of these things for pleasure whenever he wanted. These types of pleasures eventually take more and more to make you feel good. People get bored with them as well.

3. Achieving success: Solomon had vineyards that made money, he built houses, made parks, made watering towers to water his vineyards... he was successful, but that didn't fulfill his heart either.

Even as a Christ follower, we can believe the lies that these things will make us happy. We think if we just had the latest gadget, could take that vacation, or had enough money in the bank, we'd be ok. The truth is, the more we get, the more we want.

That's why we need to refocus on the truth that without God at the center of our life, we will never truly be happy. God gives JOY. Unspeakable, undeniable, unending joy. Joy is better than happiness.

Happiness is usually based on circumstances. Joy is not. 

Our true value and worth comes from God. Not any of this stuff. Does God want us to have nice things, experience pleasure, and achieve success? Yes He does!

However, when those things take His place in our heart, we've got a problem.

Do you struggle with any of this things? I know, I have seasons in my life where I struggle with wanting to be in a relationship. Sometimes, I think about it too much instead of continuing to focus on God and allowing Him to work and move in my life. I am working on that.

Let's stop striving for happiness and allow God to fill us with JOY. Are you with me? God bless you today and always.