"Happy"

 People search for happiness,

And do all sorts of things,

Trying to be happy,

And deal with what life brings.

Often it is sadness,

That dogs them everyday,

Others deal with anger,

It drains their joy away.

Some think that more money,

Will solve all that is wrong,

Others think that if they’re loved,

And find where they belong,

They will find the secret,

To make their hearts content,

But when they finally get it,

They don’t know where it went.

And that’s because the only way,

We can be at peace,

Is when we give our lives to Him,

Let our control release.

To Jesus Christ our Savior,

We learn to make Him Lord,

And if we ever take the step,

We never will be bored.

‘Cause He gives us abundant life,

He gives peace and love and joy,

All because the Spirit comes,

And not some brand-new toy.

If you go after happiness,

It is a random chase,

But if you give your life to God,

And learn to seek His face,

You will find you’re happy,

‘Cause holy you will be,

And there is no one He can’t heal,

He sets the captive free.

“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength…” (Philippians 4:12-13, NLT)

Paul wrote about the secret of contentment from a prison cell in Rome. His circumstances were full of adversity, but his soul was full of peace. He claimed to have learned the secret of consistent contentment. It was to look past the circumstance to the reality of Jesus Christ, and rely on Him for strength. In other words, surrendering to and depending upon Jesus and His presence in every situation changes our reaction to it. We are not at its mercy but are rather pressing in to surrendering everything to the Lord.

Lord, teach us contentment, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jason Rich, jasonrichstudios.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jason, and God bless you.