Seeking Happiness
Jesus says in Matthew (6:33), "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." "All these things," includes food and clothing, and the other assorted "things" we often worry about. I don’t think Jesus meant we should never buy clothing or, if we are hungry, pretend like it doesn’t matter. I think he was telling us something we know is true: sometimes we get overly worried about things in our striving to be happy.
Most of us want to be happy, that is behind our desire for things. Sometimes we think the purchase of this thing or that thing will give us happiness, but mostly, the things we buy are like sugar on the tongue. Whatever pleasure they give disappears before we know it.
In his book, Grow Up, Frank Pittman gives some wonderful advice on happiness. Most of the advice sounds like the Wisdom literature of Proverbs, where the general advice is simple. If we want to be happy, be kind to others: "A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water." (Proverbs 11:25)
For the month of July, my Tuesday Mornings will be sharing quotes from his book.
Frank Pittman Grow Up: How Taking Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult
People who want to be happy are loving. They go around doing nice things for other people. Sometimes it is reciprocated. Sometimes it is not. Loving makes us feel good about ourselves, and we may get responses that reaffirm those good feelings about our ability to give and receive love. (262)
Adult happiness seems more dependent on a sense of one’s honor and integrity than it is on a high level of pleasurable experiences....happiness is an outgrowth of character. (15)
Together in Christ,
Stephen
