Lately I have been asking myself, "what makes me happy?" One question always leads to another question, which was: Does my happiness depend on others or myself"?

Going a little deeper I ask myself, "what causes me to be unhappy"? I value my family so if our relationship with them was not good, I would be unhappy. Not getting my way on something that matters not in the light of eternity. Not being able to do what I want or buy what I want. Not getting the attention I think I deserve. Easy to see how my happiness is all about Betty, not the Lord.

Aging has a way of changing things we value and for sure allowing the Lord into my life has made the biggest difference in my values. For years I chased happiness for Betty, never really finding it in a person or things. I had brief moments of happiness, but they left me wanting more which made me critical of those I look to for my happiness.

What did the Lord value when He walked this earth?

Love of God, Honesty, Faithfulness, Compassion and Forgiveness, Holiness:

James writes: To consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you are face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

The truth is (and this is why happiness is such a horrible value), that when we are not happy, something good may be happening. You have brought to that moment of crisis because of a need for growth, and the crisis may be the solution to much of what is wrong with your life. Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, authors of the book Boundaries.

The Lord has changed how I view happiness and my view of suffering. I no longer chase happiness; I chase wisdom on a day-to-day basis. When I value the fruits of the Spirit in my life more than the clothes I wear, I am content with what I have. When I value honesty in my everyday life it cast out fears. When I value faithfulness, it causes me to not procrastinate. When I value compassion and forgiveness worry leaves. When value Holiness, God gives wisdom.

Since I am still in this human body with all its human emotions, I fail sometimes to have my values right. I am always a work in progress, and He has promised to finish me. Wise Hearted