contentment

i find myself contemplating happiness a lot lately. happiness seems to be the goal of so many people; not only for themselves, but for those they love. "i just want to be happy...." "i want my kids to be happy...." "...whatever makes you happy...." "i'm happy if you're happy..."

what's with all this "happiness" crap?

should happiness be the ultimate goal? does it last? does it really make life better? can anyone truly be "happy" all the time?

the way i see it - the pursuit of happiness has broken up relationships, torn apart families, ruined businesses, ended lives, created selfish, self-centered kids who only repeat the cycle.

it's not that i'm not happy or don't enjoy happiness...i'm just saying - it's not all about happiness

i recently heard that contentment is knowing that God will never leave me or forsake me. no matter my circumstances. whether or not i am happy.

the things in life that often bring happiness are things that will indeed leave us and perhaps forsake us.

clothes, cars, toys (ipods, computers, big screen tv's), our homes, our careers, vacations....

...our friends, our kids, our spouses....

it's hard to think about losing these things. would i still be happy if i did. no. could i still be content? i would like to think that i could. would i rather have the assurance that i would never lose these things/people or would i rather have assurance that my God will never leave me or forsake me? when i consider this... happiness doesn't seem so important.

another thought...can those who don't have a relationship with God ever be content? is that why they are chasing happiness?

thank you God for contentment in a happy-crazy world.