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 Only
the immature think happiness is found in things
possessed; experience teaches us that happiness is a frame of
mind — the way we look at things, and at ourselves. But how
can we gain the desired frame of mind?
A
little boy came into the kitchen where his mother was preparing
a meal and asked, "Mom, why do we always have hamburger?
Johnny's mother cooks meat in big pieces, with bone in the
middle." Mother answered', "Son, don't talk about
people who can't afford to have their meat ground. You'll make
them feel badly."
That
may suffice, for the time, but is happiness just the art of
kidding ourselves? To some the art of positive thinking is no
more than a trick one pulls on himself, and on the public he
uses. Believe in yourself, and it is amazing what you can
accomplish. Such an attitude can contribute to happiness too,
but if it is only a cloak we wear when we are selling, it will
wear thin in time.
In
Proverbs three, happiness and a God-centered wisdom are linked
together in advice worth your while. Do you want length
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of days and years? With peace? Forget
not God's law and let your heart keep His commands. Want
friends? Let not kindness and truth, love and fidelity, forsake
thee. We all need direction in life — purpose and a noble aim;
and it is here for those who trust in Jehovah rather than in
themselves. Health is best achieved in a clean, upright life of
respect for the Lord and His ways.
And
such people prosper, although material gain is an improper
motive, and it can wreck the beneficial process. In fact, we are
told to "despise not the chastening of Jehovah, for whom
Jehovah loveth He reproveth."
Yea,
Sure! It sounds like preacher talk doesn't it? But friend, our
Maker is not giving us a psychological cover to wear. He is
showing us how we must change ourselves — start on the
inside, with a heart given to God, and fully trusting in Him.
Life is bright because we are shining and are content in
every state of life (Phil. 4:11-13). There is happiness in
knowing why we are here, and where we are going; in our
confidence that we journey toward eternal happiness.
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