Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Pursuit Of Happiness


This is the most abused term nowadays. Everybody seems to be always in pursuit of happiness. Happiness is something very temporary. It is the attainment of a short term goal. It is the satisfaction of the immediate needs of man. But is the pursuit of happiness beneficial to man in the long run? Remember, the pursuit of happiness is anchored in the immediate gratification of man's wants. People call it freedom to do what they want to do, without any restrictions , without any fear. They call it freedom from fear. But where does this pursuit of happiness leads man?

To tell you the truth, it leads man to perdition and eventually, to slavery to sin. Sin is something man enjoys for it is a violation of a restriction or command, and man loves to violate every command and every restriction there is. But John 8:34 says, "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." Why? Because although sin is enjoyable at the start, it becomes addictive, and without man noticing it, it eventually becomes the master of the sinful man. It attains a life of its own. Man, who used to enjoy and wallow in sin, now becomes entangled in its deadly web and is unable to disobey the harsh voice of its tyrant master and break free from its strangle hold. And man becomes more miserable than when he first started.

Not only did he veer away from the dictates of his conscience, he has chained himself to slavery under the grip of the lord of this world- Satan. And in the end, the pursuit of happiness becomes a short cut on the road to hell. The Bible warns us about this when it says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Let us be included in the few who enters the narrow gate and eventually finds eternal life.

Tags: Pursuit of Happiness, Freedom From Restrictions, Freedom From Fear, Narrow Gate, Destruction, Eternal Life

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

14 comments:

Arvin U. de la Peña said...

Minsan para marating ang kasiyahan kailangan na gumawa ng masama..halimbawa ang magnakaw..sa pagnanakaw ay nakakasakit ng ninakawan..pero para sa nagnakaw ay kasiyahan......

MinnieRunner said...

I have to agree Mel. Happiness is a very vague thing. But as for me, when I search for happiness, I search for the real one - something that can't be bought nor have to cost a violation of the rules. Happiness for me is simply being with your family, and of course, God.

kimmy said...

maybe the pursuit of happiness roots from disbelief of the existence of heaven and its rewards. those people who try to pursue happiness are those who consider life too short and therefore to be enjoyed to the fullest..

Azumi's Mom ★ said...

You're right Sir Mel. Happiness seems to be so temporary kaya we should cherish the moment when we feel happy. Ang hirap din ma-achieve to, kasi we have to experience sadness and difficulties first bago natin ma-realize or distinguish ang happiness. This is life, di balance kung walang high and lows. Thanks for sharing Sir Mel.. Have a nice week ahead

teJan said...

Very well said Mel.. the important would be the joy within which we can found it completly by rejoicing in the Lord!

godbless!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Bambie dear,
Pursuit of happiness is not bad per se. But we must see where that pursuit leads us to. If that leads us to sinning then it becomes a stumbling block to our journey to the kingdom of God which is more important than temporal happiness. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you all always.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Arvin,
Pansamantalang kasiyahan lamang iyon dahil pag nahuli siya at nakulong ay labis na pagsisisi ang mararanasan niya. Maiwasan man niya ang batas nang lupa ay siguradong magbabayad naman siya sa batas nang Diyos. Salamat sa pagdalaw at komento. God bless you always.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Kimmy,
You are so right. People look for the here and now and not for the hereinafter. This was graphically enshrined in the rationale of most Americans as freedom from fear and the right to the pursuit of happiness. They give more importance to the bus stop than the final destination. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you always.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi teJan,
People must make a distinction between worldly happiness and happiness in the Lord. Worldly happiness is transitory and is dependent on the achievement of some goals in life. Spiritual happiness on the other hand is dependent upon our obedience to the will of God in our lives. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you all always.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi MinnieRunner,
Happiness need not be sinful otherwise the phrase can be changed to The Pursuit of Pleasure. Some people live for pleasure alone even though it can sometimes be sinful. It is best to seek happiness in accordance with the will of God. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.

jellybelly said...

More often, the things that we pursue obsessively that we think will make us happy, doesn't. When you get it, there's a feeling like, is this all? Feels empty. I've been there. Seeking His kingdom first really gives a feeling of peace and contentment. Great share!

The Twerp and I

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi jellybelly,
You are so right. Getting the thing we are obsessed of makes us happy at first but after a while, a feeling of emptiness and boredom sets in. Only when we are within the kingdom of God and we do His will can we be truly happy. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you always.

Unknown said...

There is a different level of happiness and each individual has their own pursuit of happiness that they want, but in general happiness can only be attain with contentment and acceptance thats my opinion. po. so yung iba grabe siguro makapagpapaligaya sa kanila thats why they resort to do sin to make them happy. Thanks for the post Sir Mel

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Shy,
Yes, I agree with. Happiness need not be sinful. Thanks for your visit and comments. God bless you all always.


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