What Does Your Happiness Depend On?

Are you happy? Why or why not? (Take the time to answer that question before reading on.)

I have met some happy people in my life. It always seems that no matter what is going on in their life at the time they will have a smile on their face. That being said, I’ve met many individuals that couldn’t find a smile if it smacked them in the face. What is the reason some people can be happy and others can’t?

Many answers could be thrown at that question. Personality…Experiences…Health…Status… All these play a role, but I contend that none of them truly determine an individuals ability to be happy.

This week, I have been meditating on Psalm 42. It is a very interesting Psalm in that I feel like I am eavesdropping on someone’s personal conversation with himself. Granted, there are other psalms written in a similar way, but there is something about this Psalm that stands out to me.

The Psalmist is NOT happy. He is struggling with life. He is depressed. He is feeling like a failure. Encouraging, right? But there is an interesting transition that happens at the end of the chapter. After asking God why He abandoned him, the psalmist begins interrogating himself. What is his question?

“Why am I unhappy?”

He is not asking in the way you might think. When we ask this question, it’s typically because we can’t find that thing to make us happy. The psalmist, however, knew exactly where his cause for happiness came from, and the important realization is that he had never lost it. He reminds himself in verse 11 to “hope in God.” He identifies God as his “rock” and the “health of [his] countenance.” God is a solid foundation. Dependable. Supportive. He is also what gives us the ability to be happy. Period.

If you are looking for happiness in other things, you will be disappointed. Hope in God. Trust Him, and you will enjoy the happiness that only He can give.

Be happy as you continue to…

Walk in Him.