Happiness is a perennial state in the soul. It is a feeling of love, joy, and peace, anchored in the heart, which does not depend on the adverse or favorable circumstances of life, but on the faithfulness of the one who supplies you with Happiness
(Published by jose lopez August 21, 2017 - Reflections and biblical comments)
My reflection today is based on a contoversial issue that is much desired by humanity, I mean "happiness." I say controversial because not everyone has the same concept of what happiness is, some think and believe that being happy is having everything material and not having deprivation, others believe that happiness is forever and not having problems or passing penalties of any type, some believe that happiness is optional and lasts a very short time, in short the opinions about happiness are diverse.
¡God is the author of happiness and is a permanent state that never end!.
What is clear is that all human beings yearn to be happy and spend their lives looking for happiness. Some people look for it in the wrong places and with the wrong people, because they think that happiness is to achieve the dreams and goals set that have been proposed.
One day at a meeting of teachers where a motivational topic was discussed where labor was discussed about happiness and I heard the opinion of many colleagues about what they thought was really happiness and all concluded in a single end "to see their family, retire and enjoy their coming years. "
That opinion certainly left me pensive and although I gave my opinion we came to specify and conceptualize "happiness" by some definitions and authors where the following statements were mentioned:
"All mortals are looking for happiness, a sign that none have it"
-Baltasar Gracián-
For Aristotle, the most prominent of the metaphysical philosophers, happiness is the maximum aspiration of all human beings. The way to achieve it, from their point of view, is virtue. In other words, if the highest virtues are cultivated, you will be happy.
For Ortega and Gasset, happiness is configured when “projected life” and “effective life” coincide. That is, when it converges what we want to be with who we really are. ( All these statements are taken by © 2019 Mind is Wonderful | Magazine about psychology, philosophy and reflections on life).
All these statements are certainly statements based on theories of men and in some cases they coincide with the reality of life but not the truth of God.
In this case I would like to clear out what the Bible says about happiness by citing the following verses:
Proverbs 16: 20-22
20 The one who understands the word will find good,
And he who trusts in Jehovah is blessed. (RVR 1960)
He who is understood in the word is wise and will find good every day because he trusts in Jehovah and will be happy. In this sense it is understood that happiness is given by God when we get to understand his word and live it.
¡Happiness is a choice!
Source
“Happy are those who go on an impeccable path, those who follow the law of the Lord. Happy are those who fulfill their prescriptions and seek it wholeheartedly ”(Ps 119,1-2) (RVR 1960)
This verse also clarifies that to be happy is to follow the ways of the Lord and seek him with all my heart. Delighting in God certainly brings happiness.
Happiness is an option that we decide to live in the manner of God and does not mean that we cannot have some difficulties or penalties. Being happy is a path that we have decided to live entrenched in the word of God that gives us the guideline to achieve true happiness. In this regard Paul says:
2 Corinthians 12:10
«That is why I rejoice in weaknesses, insults, deprivations, persecutions and difficulties that I suffer for Christ; because when I am weak, then I am strong. ”(RVR1960)
In the way of happiness God goes with us and in weaknesses He makes us strong.
The apostle Paul knew what it meant to be happy and by the way of thinking of many he clarified:
Philippians 4: 12-13
«I know what it is to live in poverty, and what it is to live in abundance. I have learned to live in each and every circumstance, both to be satiated and to go hungry, to have plenty and to suffer shortages. I can do everything in Christ that strengthens me. »Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960)
In this sense Paul determined that happiness was to have Jesus above the circumstances.
Remember the psalmist's words:
Proverbs 3: 13-15
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
And who gets the intelligence;
Because your profit is better than the profit of silver,
And its fruits more than fine gold.
More precious is that precious stones;
And everything you could want, you can't compare to it. "
(Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960))
Happiness is free and nothing material can be compared with it because it comes from God and is given by God.
