Are You Happy?

Are you happy? Like, really happy? Happy with where you are? Happy with what you have? Happy with who you’re with? Happy with how your life has turned out?

Several years ago I bought a new truck. A big truck with lots of room. It had the shine. The smell. I was so proud as I pulled into the driveway. But it wasn’t just the truck. It was the adventure. The search. Talking with salesmen. Making a deal. Sharing the experience with those close to me. Feeling accomplished. I was happy!

When I purchased the truck I made a trade-in and signed a standard deal to pay it off in 72 months. I’m not an expert at buying (or selling) vehicles but I knew several things: the value of my trade-in, the amount I could offer as a down payment, the amount I could afford as a monthly payment, and the length of time I was willing to pay for the vehicle. I had crunched the numbers and told the salesman where I needed to be. In the midst of their haggling I stood up to walk out before we finally negotiated on a deal that I could afford.

Less than a month later I ran the truck into a ditch and broke a running board. A couple of weeks after that I hit some shrubbery that scratched the bumper. This vehicle that I was so proud to own had become defaced and lost some of its luster. But to be sure, I wasn’t giving up on the belief that this truck still had great potential.

I have tried to take care of my truck knowing that I need it to last for the long haul (whatever that means). Until the wheels fall off. Until retirement. Until my son turns 16. Until I can afford another one. I’ve even purchased a couple of accessories to help with its looks and functionality. Window shield to keep the water out of the cab and a bed cover to keep things dry in the back.

Though this truck may not be the best one on the market, it may have a few dents and scratches, it may have lost some of its value, I still find pleasure in knowing that it is accomplishing everything I hoped it would the day I bought it.

So back to that opening line. “Are you happy?” Maybe I should ask myself, “Am I happy?” That word, “happy.” It’s not a word I much prefer. It seems so elusive. Fleeting. Shifty. Ask me today and my answer may be yes. Ask me tomorrow and I may have a different response. And I hate that.

I prefer to have consistency in my life and the older we get the more I think that’s what most of us prefer. I think it’s fair to say that most of us want to be happy most of the time. Sure, we’re well-versed in life enough to know that we will encounter situations that make being happy a difficult emotion to feel. A challenging perspective to behold.

Perspective. That word, perspective. Seeing moments in life a particular way. How we see situations in life unlocks the potential and power of determining how we feel about them. And how we feel will begin to chart a course for what we will say, the attitude we will carry, and actions we will perform.

So how do I shape my perspective to provide more consistent patterns of positive emotions? We all have a source, a foundation, a platform for where our perspective is being formed. Our perspective can be shaped by family values, personal experiences, religious traditions, sociological causes, and political agendas.

Here’s a perspective that’s been forged in my life over the years; learn to be content. What does that even mean? If you search the meaning of happiness and contentment you will discover that those words appear to be synonymous. However, I believe these words can be differentiated to some degree. To be happy is to find satisfaction on the basis of the circumstance. To be content is to find satisfaction in God and the work He is doing even in spite of the circumstance.

Consider these statements; “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content (Phil 4:11), I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities (2 Cor 12:10), godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).”

Godliness. What does that mean? To become more like God. I think godliness is to be accomplished in two ways. First, we need to know God. Listen to Him. Read the words He’s given to us. Do what He says. But secondly, He needs to be given more of us. And this requires surrender. Speak to Him. Make confessions. Choose repentance. Embrace the perspective that He knows what’s best. And the result? When coupled with contentment we will experience great gain. Success and fame? Maybe not. True biblical happiness where we find great joy no matter what? Absolutely!

So are you happy? With where you are? With what you have? With who you’re with? If not, try this. Change your perspective. Don’t try to find your greatest pleasure in the people, places, and possessions within your reach. They’re only a means to an end. And those things can be fleeting and futile. It doesn’t mean you have to change your circumstances though it could. It may just require a shifting of how you see what’s right in front of you.

In all things, in every circumstance, learn to be content. Remember, contentment is finding satisfaction in life even in spite of the situation, not because of it. When you look at all of life’s moments let God bring them into focus, with His lens of godliness, to form a right perspective that lets you believe He is working all things out for good to those who love Him (Rom 8:28).