Can you lose your happiness?

Christmas is still my favorite time of year. I would even go as far to say that It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Andy Williams was right. It is wonderful. But as an adult, remembering back to the Christmases of my childhood, I try to remember those, "I've just got to have THIS, or THAT," presents, and when I do remember them, I think..."Where did those things go?"

Without meaning to, we show people what we value, what we adore, and ultimately what we worship by the things we attach our happiness to. In my own life, I've noticed a subtle confusion between words like Happiness...and security. The things in which I feel most safe tend to be the things that give me the most (temporary) happiness. I isolate that word temporary, because that is where most of our focus tends to land when we consider the things that make us "happy".

So what are the things that make us feel Happy, or Secure. For most, like myself, it is simple things like Family relationships, friends, a steady paycheck, good health, a house to make a home, the favor I hold with certain people, even the thought of having a Tomorrow to try again...all are the kinds of things that can quickly and easily become the focal point of our pursuit to happiness. But each of those things has something in common: all of them can be lost.

Perhaps you have witnessed the crumbling walls of the fortress of happiness someone has built for themselves. "How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!" At least, that is how such things are described by Asaph in Psalm 73. He had taken notice of people whose happiness was wrapped up in the ease of their own lives, but when that ease was gone...they were left crumbled, having no foundation. In fact, Asaph even admitted that he was jealous of such people. "They are not in trouble like others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind." A somber observation.

But then he had another observation: "when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the Sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." But what end? When our fulfillment is found in anything, and I do mean ANYTHING other than God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, we are doomed for disappointment and destruction. The writer noticed a connection between the things we allow to fill our hearts and minds - stealing our focus by promising happiness in a hurry - and the condition of our hearts, specific to our walk with the Lord.

Upon remembering, or returning to the "sanctuary of God", he immediately remembered that such pursuits of happiness are in vain, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes). Even the best gifts that God can give to us, good things, mind you, given for both our good and His glory, can steal our focus when we become too fixated on the gift...and in doing so, forget the Giver. "When I looked at Christ, the dove of peace flew into my life. When I looked at the dove of peace...it flew away." Surgeon had a way with words. Simple, but arrows to the hidden corners of our hearts.

What are the things that you have allowed to become the fixtures of your happiness on this earth? Start lining them up. Lay them all out before you. Then...give them all back to God. That does not mean you will lose them, but we ought never hold so tightly to anything God gives us should it become necessary, according to His will and for His glory, that they be taken away. "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of he Lord," were Job's words after his wife had completely crumbled losing her wealth, her status, her children, and watching her husband's health deteriorate. Her response to it all was to tell Job to "curse God and die." Asaph was very much in the same mindset as he penned, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. (v.13-14)" Such sad words for anyone to utter who has tasted and seen that the Lord is, now and always, Good.

Thankfully, Asaph returned...and remembered. We must, likewise, remember. When we have it all, or at least, seem to have certain things we cherish settled in our life, we must, absolutely must remember to Whom our place of First Love belongs: God, and God alone. It is no problem to enjoy the things God has given us, but we must be guarded against allowing those things to trick us into thinking that in THEM we have found fulfillment, rather than in HIM Who gave them. "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But as for me, it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge."

Be single-minded, brother or sister in Christ. Should everything that you enjoy in your life be taken...do not be shaken: may you be found standing firm on the Rock of your Salvation, crying out with a glad heart, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"