Finding Happiness

I just read a touching post by Candace that inspired me to write a bit on the relationship faith has with happiness. Candace is currently faced with a trial that has the potential to rock her world. Correction; it has rocked her world. However, what I know of Candace and her husband Alvin, is that they are happy people. You only need to look at this picture of the two of them together to see the twinkle in their eyes. They'd tell you it's love shining in their eyes, and it surely is that, but it is also happiness.

These two people are walking hand in hand, faithful in the path Heavenly Father has laid out for them. It is not the same road as others have been asked to journey ... it is their own. At some point in their travels they have had to make a decision: Will we be angry, hurt or depressed because of the challenges we have been given? Or shall we choose to lift up our hearts and our voices to God above and see the joy that is evident in the world all around us? I believe Candace and Alvin have chosen the latter.

Their story is not mine to tell, but I'm sure they would want me to tell you that happiness is a state of mind. You cannot always find evidence of happiness in a home full of children, or a house filled with toys and gadgets that cost lots of money; happiness is not always a by-product of wealth and circumstance. Rather, happiness is a measure of our faith.

Matthew said: "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Luke said: "For with God, nothing shall be impossible."

And in Proverbs we read: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Candace and Alvin know that God is their only sure hope. With faith in Him, their way is clear and there is no room in their hearts for fear when there is faith.

Where there is no fear, but faith instead, there can be happiness. Happiness in the blessings we've been given. Happiness in our faith.