I've been thinking a lot about happiness lately, mostly because social media is a clearance rack of misery. That was my first epiphany when I signed up: Lord, there are a LOT of unhappy people out there. I'm not talking about the folks who seem to have unhappiness as their hobby โ we'll leave them to God today.
And I'm not here to split hairs between happiness and joy (the theologians can fight over that one at the next potluck). Today is the practical side. Work boots on, let's go.
Most people want to be happy โ they just can't find the road from where they're standing. Too many believe happiness is a lucky bounce: good genes, good timing, a good parking spot. Scripture says otherwise. Happiness is a choice, and the best way to find it is to follow the breadcrumbs of the people โ and the Word โ that got there first.
Here's what decades of watching happy people (and reading the Owner's Manual) taught me.