8-12-2026
Perhaps you’ve seen the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith. It tells a great story – one that many people would learn from. See, one of the most common mistakes we make is, “When and then” thinking. “When and then” thinking looks like this:
When something happens that I want, then I’ll be happy.
When I get out of school ……
When I get a man or woman in my life ……
When I get a job ……
When I get a promotion ……
When I get to retire ……
In the Apostle Paul’s case: When I get out of prison ……
But the truth is: If you don’t know how to choose happiness right now, in spite of your circumstances, there will be pains, pressures, people, and problems to blame for your unhappiness. In the case of the Apostle Paul, he made three choices clear choices – three clear choices that you can also make because the reality is, you are only as happy as you choose to be. Here are Paul’s choices:
I can be happy no matter what happens, if I choose to:
1. Remember God can bring good out of anything.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
2. Trust God to always work things out.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6 & 7, NIV)
3. Know where my strength comes from.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13, NIV)
4. Stay focused on my purpose, not my problem.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21, NIV)
Happiness doesn’t come from self-gratification. Happiness comes from self-sacrifice! Paul chose to be happy, not because of his possessions or convenience or his hobby or even his relationships. He determined that his happiness – lasting happiness came from knowing Jesus.
All of the other things may bring momentary happiness, but if you want eternal happiness, it only comes from Jesus!