I find myself in search of happy and it has turned out to be a most exhausting journey.  And I can hear the old preacher beating on the pulpit declaring that God is concerned with our holiness and not our happiness.  Yet, I wasn’t completely sold on the truth of that back then and I’m even less convinced of it now.  God has loved us with an everlasting love and what kind of love would not include a desire that His children be happy?

The glaring mistake I have made, however, is to pursue happiness.  It is just like anything else I seek to do in my own strength and understanding…it never works out like I imagine it will.  God never promises that we will be happy if we never give up on our dreams.  He doesn’t guarantee happiness to those who work hard, accumulate wealth or impress others.  Why do people like me constantly strive for happiness only to come up empty handed?

It is because happiness is not a goal that can be attained.  It is a by-product of holiness and obedience.

Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. – Psalm 119:2 HCSB

Don’t seek happiness.  Seek Him and the by-product is happiness.