Attaining Happiness
Attaining Happiness
The number one goal of mankind is to achieve happiness but why is this emotion so fleeting and short lived? Since the 'fall of mankind' and our subsequent fallen nature it is the practice of people to live 'in the flesh' and not 'in the spirit' as was the original intent of our Creator. Even the majority of believers live according to the drives of the flesh. Living in the 'flesh' means that person's main focus in life is directed toward the circumstances of their daily living. But worse than that is the added burden of spending most of their time and thoughts in remorse over the past leading to depression and wringing their hands in fear over the future producing stress and illness. No wonder happiness comes in such small doses only to be drowned out by the next soon coming calamity. 'Living in the spirit' first of all requires 'living in the present'. Everything about us becomes habit and habits can be started and ended and changed. It requires a decision and effort coupled with determination and patience. Our habits didn't start overnight and changing them also takes time but we can regulate what we think and dwell on. When, as much as we can muster, we focus on the present, even that ten minute window which is our reality, we are well upon our way to enjoying a lasting happiness. But all this is only part of the formula needed to enjoy a life of contentment; regardless of the troubles life throws at us. True joy in life is not produced by pleasant circumstances nor is joy hindered by the hardship and pain that is a part of life. But to achieve the goal of contentment in all circumstances we must first confront and overcome the number one enemy that plunders the hope of all mankind. Fear is the enemy of 'living in the spirit'. Fear is so dominant that man has given names to hundreds of fears that plagues and cripples mankind. The good news is that once the number one fear is overcome the rest of our fears begin to fade away. Our greatest fear is our fear of death. And why is that? Is it not because we want to live forever? The Bible says that God has put the longing for eternity in our hearts. The Bible further tells us that Jesus Christ conquered death and death need not be feared because it is the gateway to our future destiny. When we have matured spiritually to the degree that death is welcomed, then is fulfilled the scripture that 'perfect love', that is, godly love, casts out fear, for fear has to do with torment. That torment is a life lived in anguish under the sway of fears death grip. Fear is the lack of godly love which comes by the spiritual connection of submitting to the calling of the power that cannot be seen. The purpose of the visible world with its tempting trinkets and fleshly pleasures is to be overcome and rejected so that our ultimate creation will be complete in the spiritual realm without temptation for that which is totally hated and rejected. When the 'Big Picture', (that God is in control and everything we experience; the good, the bad, and the ugly, will turn out for our good and that death is but the gateway to our future destiny), when that attitude is kept clearly in focus and life hits us with its worse, then my peace of mind and contentment of spirit and joy of heart will not leave me and my hope and security will only become more deeply rooted in His promises that cannot fail. It is possible, within our capacity, to experience happiness that transcends the limitations of this earthly world! Happiness of itself however should not be the primary goal nor should escaping life's hardship be our hearts desire because it is the pain and adversity of living that produces the caliber of spiritual individual that will inhabit and rule in God's Kingdom.
Chaplain L Dale Johnston Honey Badger’
The number one goal of mankind is to achieve happiness but why is this emotion so fleeting and short lived? Since the 'fall of mankind' and our subsequent fallen nature it is the practice of people to live 'in the flesh' and not 'in the spirit' as was the original intent of our Creator. Even the majority of believers live according to the drives of the flesh. Living in the 'flesh' means that person's main focus in life is directed toward the circumstances of their daily living. But worse than that is the added burden of spending most of their time and thoughts in remorse over the past leading to depression and wringing their hands in fear over the future producing stress and illness. No wonder happiness comes in such small doses only to be drowned out by the next soon coming calamity. 'Living in the spirit' first of all requires 'living in the present'. Everything about us becomes habit and habits can be started and ended and changed. It requires a decision and effort coupled with determination and patience. Our habits didn't start overnight and changing them also takes time but we can regulate what we think and dwell on. When, as much as we can muster, we focus on the present, even that ten minute window which is our reality, we are well upon our way to enjoying a lasting happiness. But all this is only part of the formula needed to enjoy a life of contentment; regardless of the troubles life throws at us. True joy in life is not produced by pleasant circumstances nor is joy hindered by the hardship and pain that is a part of life. But to achieve the goal of contentment in all circumstances we must first confront and overcome the number one enemy that plunders the hope of all mankind. Fear is the enemy of 'living in the spirit'. Fear is so dominant that man has given names to hundreds of fears that plagues and cripples mankind. The good news is that once the number one fear is overcome the rest of our fears begin to fade away. Our greatest fear is our fear of death. And why is that? Is it not because we want to live forever? The Bible says that God has put the longing for eternity in our hearts. The Bible further tells us that Jesus Christ conquered death and death need not be feared because it is the gateway to our future destiny. When we have matured spiritually to the degree that death is welcomed, then is fulfilled the scripture that 'perfect love', that is, godly love, casts out fear, for fear has to do with torment. That torment is a life lived in anguish under the sway of fears death grip. Fear is the lack of godly love which comes by the spiritual connection of submitting to the calling of the power that cannot be seen. The purpose of the visible world with its tempting trinkets and fleshly pleasures is to be overcome and rejected so that our ultimate creation will be complete in the spiritual realm without temptation for that which is totally hated and rejected. When the 'Big Picture', (that God is in control and everything we experience; the good, the bad, and the ugly, will turn out for our good and that death is but the gateway to our future destiny), when that attitude is kept clearly in focus and life hits us with its worse, then my peace of mind and contentment of spirit and joy of heart will not leave me and my hope and security will only become more deeply rooted in His promises that cannot fail. It is possible, within our capacity, to experience happiness that transcends the limitations of this earthly world! Happiness of itself however should not be the primary goal nor should escaping life's hardship be our hearts desire because it is the pain and adversity of living that produces the caliber of spiritual individual that will inhabit and rule in God's Kingdom.
Chaplain L Dale Johnston Honey Badger’
Good read!
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