i am not responsible for your happiness

In this world we have two kinds of people, those who expect others to make them happy and those who believe they are responsible to make others happy. If you think you must make people happy, then you are a target for control and manipulation. It all begins in our childhood, children demand their parents keep them happy or they will pitch a fit and become masters of manipulation. Wise parents will address this behavior before it gets out of hand. As a child I could pout and cry until my mother did what I wanted her to do. My dad was the opposite, he didn't care if you were happy or not, so I could never manipulate him.

Romans 13:8 Be under obligation to no one - the only obligation you have is to love one another.

We have no obligation to anyone to be responsible for their happiness. What God wants us to do is treat them like we would treat ourselves. Love does not cater to a controlling, manipulative spirit. If someone makes you happy, then enjoy the moment. If you like it when people make you happy, then go out and make other people happy. But if you sow happiness, that does not obligate anyone to do the same for you. It is more blessed (happier) to give than to receive (take). Jesus said, you will be more happy giving than receiving. You will never understand what Jesus said until you do it!

John 8:40 Now seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth.

The Jews were angry with Jesus because He wouldn't agree with what they believed. They thought Jesus should accept them, which would have made them happy because they claimed Abraham was their father. Jesus would not conform to their faith in the law, He was obligated to love them but not make them happy. The truth has no regard for our feelings. Religion is just like the world, it depends on others in the world to make them happy. Jesus' own disciples lost faith in Him. None of the twelve believed he rose from the dead, only the women believed because He appeared to them. Jesus never counted on men to make Him happy even though some did on occasion. How did Jesus maintain His joy (happiness)?

Psalm 16:11 ... in your presence is fullness of joy.

Jesus relied on His heavenly Father for His happiness, the Father spoke the truth and Jesus accepted it. Jesus perfectly pleased His Father. Jesus knew that when He went to the cross He would be made sin and His Father would forsake Him. He counted it a joy to obey the Father, He knew He would be made a curse and spend three days and nights in hell. He remembered what the Father spoke to David, weeping may endure for a season, but joy comes in the morning, Easter was coming. True happiness comes from the presence of the Lord and no man or devil can rob you of it. I have always felt that if I was locked away in solitary confinement I would enjoy the uninterrupted presence of the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; cursed be the man that trusts in man and makes flesh his arm.

We cannot depend on one another, no man is capable of meeting all our needs. We expect men to give us what we need and they do not have that ability, so we become angry with them. Furthermore, we get agitated with people who put a demand on our time. So, what do we do? We should do our best to make people happy but not letting them come to depend on us. We should not make anyone responsible for our happiness. Draw near to your Savior and allow Him to be your source of happiness and then share what He gives you.