Christian Development

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Happiness is…

I came across a news article in CNN by Katie Walmsley entitled, “Why I feed my cat antidepressants” (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/10/opinion/walmsley-pet-drugs/index.html?hpt=hp_c4). 

Apparantly everytime Katie went away, her cat would succumb to illnesses. Antiobiotics, and even surgery, failed to address this problem. Finally her vet recommended the happy pills. Happiness is something that all humans seek after. In fact Twitter even measured and ranked the happiest and saddest states in US, based on “happy words” used in tweets (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/19/tech/social-media/twitter-happiness/index.html?iref=storysearch). 

Albeit this survey has its limitations (only 15% of online adults are using twitter) but it does highlight mankind’s obsession with seeking happiness. The bible talks about happiness as well, “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26 NIV) 

It is important that we know what can truly give us happiness. It is not the happy pills. It does not depend on our mood or our circumstances. It is only when we are in right relationship with God our creator and abide by His guidelines for living that He would grant us happiness. Everything else would be a chasing after the wind.


Contributed by Boo Hui Ling, Manager, YMCA Christian Development

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