Happiness is Not the Goal, It’a a Dividend

The framers of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence were brilliant men. They understood that one of our unalienable rights is the “Pursuit of Happiness”.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” – Declaration of Independence, In Congress, July 4, 1776

The language implies we have the right to try and go get, to purposefully pursue, happiness, but happiness itself is not guaranteed. The language used also implies that it is an on-going process and not a one time event. I wholeheartedly agree, but happiness is not THE goal, happiness is simply a dividend of the real goal that we should ever pursue. Happiness is the incidental consequence of the intentional commitment to fulfill our entire capacity for living, which should be to love God and Keep His Commandments.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. -Ecclesiastes 12:13

The entire reason for man (and woman) is to fear or reverence God and do our absolute best to keep His commandments. And when we focus our energy on this first, something truly amazing happens… happiness just exudes.

Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he. -Proverbs 29:18

It took me a long time to truly understand this concept. As I continued to walk in fellowship with my Heavenly Father, one day as I was counting my blessings, I realized that I do have true, genuine happiness and Joy.

Joy and happiness biblically are similar but not synonymous. Joy is more of an inside job that emotions and circumstances can’t change. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. We only get the fruit by planting the seeds of faithfulness, watering them for nourishment, then we get the harvest. The sad truth is calamity will strike our lives, it’s inevitable. How we deal with that fact, makes the difference in the quality of life we live.

Do you want lasting Joy and Happiness? When we put God first, reverence Him, and do our best to walk in alignment and harmony with His precepts, we will then and only then be truly happy.P.S. Speaking of happiness, do you know what is the value that God puts on a Christian? Find out here.

Thanks and God Bless YOU Abundantly.

Happiness is Not the Goal, It’a a Dividend

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