Happiness is a Choice
If any of you are my friend on Facebook you may have seen me post a status the same as the title of this blog some time ago. I think it is a simple concept, but maybe we don't treat it so simply. How many millions of dollars are made off self help books, conferences, and who knows what else, all promising to lead you to your best self, happiest self, you most __________ self (fill in the blank)? I don't believe that searching for happiness is a bad thing, but it depends where you look.
As a Christian on the campus of the University of Michigan, I was often looked at strangely when I declined invitations to frat parties. Why wouldn't I want to go? Get drunk, dance, forget the world for a while for a few minutes of euphoria. What could be more fun? Waking up the next day, no memory, a headache, and next to who knows who...not my idea of happiness. Yet every fall millions of students rush off to their campuses in search of happiness in the same places.
I want you to stop for a moment and think about the happiest moment of your life. Think about it.... Maybe it's hard for you to recall, but I can almost guarantee that it didn't involve drugs, alcohol, or casual sex. I am willing to bet that it involved people that you love, people that love you, perhaps a moment not so significant, but a very full moment. I honestly can't pinpoint a moment, but I can tell you that all the times that do come to mind involve, family, nature, and a deep feeling of being content. One moment that I can remember very well is when I climbed my first volcano here in El Salvador. I believe I wrote a post about it if you want to search the archives. I remember reaching the top and climbing onto the biggest rock I could find an just sitting. I remember entering a deep moment of worship and saying to God, "If I never do anything else in this life than admire your splendor in this moment, I am content."
I believe this deep feeling of contentment is something only Christians can experience. I think all the self-help and positive psychology can only go so far before eventually they run out. When we choose to believe in Christ's saving life, not our own power to try and save ourselves from negative thinking, we are off the hook. We no longer have to depend on ourselves, or in the same sense, blame ourselves for not being able to "just be happy." When we depend on Jesus to fill our hearts with his love, we are changed completely.
All that being said, I am not going to lie and say that every day sinse I became a Christian has been great. I am not always happy. I have gone through periods of dark depression. However at the end of the day, the roots of the words joy, and truth are the same. Joy is having the truth that Jesus is the true savior written on your heart. It means that no matter what happens, whatever valley you go through, you have truth in your heart that is the source of joy. Doesn't that sound so much better than a night at a frat party?
I can sit in silence in front of creation and be completely content, and so incredibly happy because I know where my salvation come from and I know where my eternity lies. With my savior in heaven.
Will you choose Christ today?
Standing in awe of deep rooted joy,
Sigourney
As a Christian on the campus of the University of Michigan, I was often looked at strangely when I declined invitations to frat parties. Why wouldn't I want to go? Get drunk, dance, forget the world for a while for a few minutes of euphoria. What could be more fun? Waking up the next day, no memory, a headache, and next to who knows who...not my idea of happiness. Yet every fall millions of students rush off to their campuses in search of happiness in the same places.
I want you to stop for a moment and think about the happiest moment of your life. Think about it.... Maybe it's hard for you to recall, but I can almost guarantee that it didn't involve drugs, alcohol, or casual sex. I am willing to bet that it involved people that you love, people that love you, perhaps a moment not so significant, but a very full moment. I honestly can't pinpoint a moment, but I can tell you that all the times that do come to mind involve, family, nature, and a deep feeling of being content. One moment that I can remember very well is when I climbed my first volcano here in El Salvador. I believe I wrote a post about it if you want to search the archives. I remember reaching the top and climbing onto the biggest rock I could find an just sitting. I remember entering a deep moment of worship and saying to God, "If I never do anything else in this life than admire your splendor in this moment, I am content."
I believe this deep feeling of contentment is something only Christians can experience. I think all the self-help and positive psychology can only go so far before eventually they run out. When we choose to believe in Christ's saving life, not our own power to try and save ourselves from negative thinking, we are off the hook. We no longer have to depend on ourselves, or in the same sense, blame ourselves for not being able to "just be happy." When we depend on Jesus to fill our hearts with his love, we are changed completely.
All that being said, I am not going to lie and say that every day sinse I became a Christian has been great. I am not always happy. I have gone through periods of dark depression. However at the end of the day, the roots of the words joy, and truth are the same. Joy is having the truth that Jesus is the true savior written on your heart. It means that no matter what happens, whatever valley you go through, you have truth in your heart that is the source of joy. Doesn't that sound so much better than a night at a frat party?
I can sit in silence in front of creation and be completely content, and so incredibly happy because I know where my salvation come from and I know where my eternity lies. With my savior in heaven.
Will you choose Christ today?
Standing in awe of deep rooted joy,
Sigourney
Comments
Post a Comment