Sermon On The Pursuit Of Happiness

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist once remarked: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” Ecclesiastes 3:12 reminds us: “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.”

Happiness has been defined as an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfilment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction. Everyone in life perceives happiness differently. It is individual and personal. It varies widely from person to person. The combination of the various emotions determines the quality of life.

“Happiness” is a song written by American country musician Bill Anderson and was first recorded on his album “Still” in 1963. The song was subsequently re-recorded in a version by Ken Dodd. It was included in his album: “All the Songs I Love.” (1964) The first verse contained the memorable words: “Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess. I thank the Lord that I’ve been blessed, with more than my share of happiness.”

There was once a man who consistently searched in vain for happiness. His current lifestyle was not considered good, he was truculent in nature as he carried a huge chip on his shoulder. He firmly believed that everything and everyone in life was against him. There was nothing specific, but the end result caused him to suffer from many problems and he didn't know how to tackle them properly. He regularly saw the happiness that existed in others and wanted to experience the same. He had a miserable and pessimistic outlook on life. He could not see the goodness in anything. His downfall was primarily caused by the possible misconception that happiness can be found if you search hard enough for it. However, many believe that happiness is not found, it is created.

There is much controversy on this vast subject by those who have their own personal thoughts and beliefs, but nothing conclusive can be established which may provide a definitive solution. The reason why happiness develops is conditional on many different factors. Reflection on the past can indeed bring happy thoughts, but it can also bring sad ones. Although happiness is deemed to be elusive by nature, the body is designed to release chemicals into the brain and body under certain circumstances which boost the effects of happiness. For some, however, happiness is never found and people can't understand why they have never experienced it. Unfortunately, it is rather like searching for a lost kingdom, the chances of actually finding it are remote. In truth, the only kingdom that we should actually be looking for is the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 confirms: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

One day he was fortunate enough to meet the right friends who experienced much happiness in their lives. They realised his predicament and decided to try and help him back on to the road to happiness with many suggestions. God’s main intention for us in life is to be happy. The more contentment we enjoy, the less we will worry, the more we will be able to cope with things, the more we will be able to help others. However, we have to give life a helping hand. If we input nothing, we attain nothing.

Many humans have often wondered why certain people in life appear to live a life surrounded by happiness? The answer is very simple, if we share good things with others we bring happiness into their lives. Happiness will then be returned to us many times over. It can be considered as a valuable gift from God. Psalm 37:4 states: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

We ideally need to overcome negative thinking which often drags people down. Unhappiness can lead to the avoidance of reality. If we think positively and optimistically, then the result often becomes the initial foundation stone to happiness. Proverbs 17:22 confirms: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Despite adversity, that often strikes without warning, we need to continue to hold our heads up high and proceed along the righteous path of life. Psalm 1:1-5 states: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." Grief and sorrow affect us all from time to time, that is only to be expected. It is a fact of life. However, we should remember that the pain it inflicts, usually eases over time. While we will always fondly remember those we have loved but lost, if we refuse to let go of the past then the future becomes restricted. John 16:22 reminds us: “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”