what makes you happy

If you took a poll and asked a dozen people, what makes you happy, you may get twelve different responses. One might say an item of food, another may say people, others might say money. What happens when you can't get the food you like? What happens when the people who make you happy fail to accommodate you? What happens when you have no money? We can conclude that material things are fleeting, they are not dependable.

Mark 10:22 And the rich young ruler was sad at what Jesus told him and he went away grieved for he had great possessions.
This rich young ruler asked Jesus what he needed to do that he may inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all his precious goods and give the money to the poor. The rich young ruler lost his happiness because he was depending on his stuff to make him happy. Jesus pointed out the man's problem, he was trusting in his goods for salvation and happiness. Furthermore, you cannot trust in people to make you happy because people are humans and they will not always do what you want them to do! What is the one thing that will make you happy every day of your life?

Luke 10:20 Don't celebrate just because the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice (be happy, glad) because your names are written in Heaven.

The one thing that can make you happy everyday of your life without fail is God's promise to take you to Heaven. God is not a man that He should lie and He will never disappoint anyone who has put their faith in Him. What should we focus on, the things that cannot maintain their integrity or God the giver of life? Your daily countenance is a billboard to the world, your face testifies of your source of happiness. What are you depending on for your demeanor, the offerings of the world or the promises of God?

2 Corinthians 4:18 We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Creature comforts, food, people and money are temporary. They all have a limited time of existence. But God and all His promises are eternal and forever, they will in no way disappoint. We have a choice, we can rely on the temporal world for the temporal happiness or we can depend on the Lord Himself. When you depend on God, the supply the world offers will have no negative affect on you. Temporal things won't bother you because you have the eternal working in your life.

John 16:22 I will see you again and your heart will rejoice (be happy), and your joy no man can take away from you.

No man can take your joy but that doesn't mean he won't try. The agents of the devil are always on assignment, they come to try and take your joy from you. You never have to relinquish your joy because God gave it to you, not the world or any man. What makes you happy? Your eternal life with the Lord Jesus who died for you because He loves you.