I hear many people talking about happiness and their pursuit of it. I am not saying that we can not find happiness, or that it doesn't exist, what I am saying is that emotions are not who we are but rather our choices are who we are.
One of the first words of wisdom that I share with people is to never make a decision from an emotional state. When we are angry we may decide to do something harmful and when we are happy we may choose to overspend in the moment but later regret that choice. The emotions have no bearing on our future but the consequences of the choices we make do.
I hear church members talking about fear as being a liar, and I agree with that completely. We hear about the spirit of fear, and how it's not from the Lord, because fear is a self created feeling. Fear is an emotion. Choices made from fear lead to negative consequences, but fear does not dictate your choice. Emotions are a tool for your spirit to use to navigate this world, they are not the whole of your spirit. Happiness has the same value as anger or lust. We recognize the worldliness of lust and anger but for some reason we see happiness as spiritual.
What we really should pursue is YHVH, our Heavenly Father, and all His ways. Our actions, what we do, define who we are. Loyal, Honest, and Kind all have one thing in common, they are based on choices. You have to decide to tell the truth, you are not forced to. You have to choose to stay by some one's side even when you don't feel like it. You don't have to be nice and gentle to other people, you choose to be. Choices are the basis of our lives, the quality of those choices determine the quality of our lives.
The scriptures talk about the joy of the Lord. The Word tells us to be joyful even when things look there worst, because our faith is in YHVH and His promises. Understand that joy is a choice. We can be joyful no matter what is going on, while happiness is attached to a thing or an experience. We can dance and shout and applaud because we choose to, not because we must. Happiness is a feeling no different than irritation or frustration. Feelings can lead to negative choices but they don't determine our choices. As Christians we should follow the example Christ gave us in the garden, do the will of the Father even when we don't feel like it. We choose to do right or wrong. We don't feel like it. So live for God, and do what's right based on His Word no matter how you feel, it's your choice.
- The Responsible Christian
- The Responsible Christian
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