Am I Truly Happy?

What determines true happiness? what do you think true happiness is? is it being successful in life? is it a perfect performance? Is it always being able to fit in? is it being popular? is it by being portrayed as a strong Christian? is it by being rich? Is it having no worries?

Happiness can be defined in so many ways. I believe happiness can be defined differently for each person. We all have different things that make us happy. But being happy does not allow us to forget those things that make us sad. Happiness never lasts long and sadness always comes when we least expect it.

Something I read in my devotions that truly stuck out to  today was about being content with ourselves. I know how many times I've done something (or said something) and I felt so icky inside afterwards that it just ruins me for the rest of the night (or even the week). I may have not done anything wrong, but just something inside me makes me feel so terribly upset and insecure about myself. It is in those times that I  truly tear my self-esteem down and I remember all the past things I've done to embarrass myself. I constantly remember how insignificant I am and wonder how anyone would think I am a neat person.

Sometimes the things and actions that I do out of love are often brought back on me as disregarded and not taken with the same intentions I had while I was doing them, but you know what, none of what others think will even matter when we reach heaven. God saw our intentions and He knows our heart. Whatever anyone has said to you will be acknowledged by God and He will take care of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 56

 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid,  I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what he has promised.

    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mortals do to me? They are always twisting what I say;

    they spend their days plotting to harm me. They come together to spy on me—watching my every step, eager to hurt me.

Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.

 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in Your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to You for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised. 

 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mortals do to me?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But after reading my devotions it made me realize that we constantly have ups and downs in our lives. We shouldn't just focus on all the negatives that we have done or the negative things people have said to us. We should let it all go and just move on. It is hard when the negatives seem to outnumber the positives, but remember all the great things God created in you to fulfill. He created you with great purpose and loves you JUST the way you are. Don't let others make you feel insecure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Philippians 3:13

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So the next time you feel stupid and you feel embarrassed about something you've done just remember to not let those bad thoughts overtake all the positive ones. We shouldn't reject ourselves just because we didn't perform perfectly-we are all imperfect and make mistakes. And we can never be truly happy when we allow our negative actions, words and thoughts to overtake our positive ones. God sees you completely for who you are and loves you more than you can ever even imagine, so you should be happy with who you are and all that He has made you to be. Don't become filled with regret due to past mistakes, mis-enterpreted actions or words, allow those things to be forgotten and move on. God has already seen your motives for those unintentional actions and has already forgiven you for those mistakes you've made so you should too. : )

Thank you all for dropping by! Have a fantastic day!