Let's say, for instance, someone gives you $5. Would that make you happy? Of course, it would. Now let's say, for instance, that same individual that gave you the $5 asked for $2.50 of it back. Would you still feel that same level of happiness inside? Of course not.
In the sense, happiness is of the temporal, or, of the life we live. It is the conditional concept for one's own personal, self-fulfillment. It is desiring what we want, when we want it, and doing whatever it is to get that need satisfied for ourselves. Having happiness means living for the flesh, and because our bodies get old and eventually die away, we can not ever obtain eternal happiness.
Happiness could be described as:
H: Having
A: Adequate
P: Pleasure and
P: Purpose
I: In the
N: Now,
E: Excluding
S: Service to others and
S: Sacrifices towards self
Now, let's take another example. Let's say that a man named Jesus came to you one day and offered you eternal happiness. Would you accept his offer? Would you even believe him, now knowing that eternal happiness in the flesh cannot be obtained?
Keep in mind, now, that he had not $5 to offer you, but only himself, a personal relationship with him that we might know God through him, and his own life which he gave up on the cross for you and me (John 3:16 KJV). And that through the sacrifice of Jesus' own flesh, is how God has given us eternal life (1 John 5:11 KJV).
If life has been sorrowful or grievious for you, establish your very own personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Confess with your mouth your sins to him, and believe that God has saved you to be his own (Romans 10:9 KJV). The Bible says in James 1:2-3 to count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of our faith works patience. For weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5).
J: Jesus first
O: Others second
Y: Yourself last
Allow your great, fleshly pleasures come from having joy rather than seeking happiness. Let's pray that God will work a good work in us today, and to be a help and benefit to others, through our savior Jesus Christ!
