For most people, happiness seems to be a reaction – a reaction to an event or a set of circumstances. For example, many people have been certain that if they just won the lottery, they would have all that they need and they would be happy. Yet, many stories of lottery winners offer a very different picture.
Often individuals think, “I will be happy . . . . .” – as soon as I meet the “right person” to marry; when I land that dream job; when we have our first child; when we finally get that perfect house; when our kids . . . make the honor roll, get into the right school, letter in their chosen sport, and so on; when we buy the vacation home; or when we can finally retire.
It is easy to gravitate towards this “I’ll be happy when . . .” mentality. But the truth of the matter is – events and circumstances don’t make us happy. There are men and women who have none of the things listed above who are not just happy but are even thrilled with life. “But,” you may wonder, “How can this be?” As author Elizabeth Kubler Ross wrote, in pain, shortly before her death, “We must choose happiness over when. When is now. Happiness is just as possible with this set of circumstances as it is with the next.”
For most, if not suffering from clinical depression, happiness is a choice. And an important truth that impacts this is found in Psalm 144:15, which states: “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Consider your choices today.