You only need to do a Google search to realize how many people are clamoring for true happiness. There are multitudes of tomes, courses and mental techniques about how to obtain true happiness. What comes to mind when someone asks you if you're happy? Peace, a perfectly compatible mate, surrounded by like-minded people in a perfectly peaceful world? Maybe it's the wish you could master all your emotions to the point where you can ?tune out? all the chaos in the world around you and be in total control of your inner peace and happiness no matter what your circumstances?

You have a God-given mind to reason with, learn a trade, and understand the world around you. Then there are the ?sages? and ?experts? who have tried, tested and shared the ?truths.? Yet, the wisdom of man is finite. Only God's Wisdom is infinite! He tells you that His thoughts are not like your thoughts, neither are your ways His ways. (Isa. 55:8) He says that ?you shall go out with joy and be let forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.? (Isa. 55:12-13)

Now that's only one of His many promises of happiness. It's so much more than a definition or direction. It's His assurance that, even if you started out in life as a ?thorn,? in His strength and with His grace you will grow up as a tall fir tree. In the previous chapter He says that the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but His kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of His peace be removed. But He does not stop there. You will also be established in righteousness. As well, you will be far from oppression as you shall not fear, and from terror; for it shall not come near you! Chapter 24 ends with ?No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, says the Lord.?

Therefore, if God be for you, who can be against you? He is the One who fights your battles for you, protects you, provides for you and heals you. He tells you specifically that you shall not fear. That's more than a promise; it's an absolute fact! He did not say ?you will be,? as some time in the future you might get there. No! ?shall? is a statement of fact; a done deal! Why? Because the closer you stick with Him and obey His commandments, the greater your faith shall grow and fear, being the opposite of faith, will no longer have any hold over you!

Now if that's not perfect happiness, then I don't know what is! There will always be trials and temptations, regardless of how many mind gymnastics you do or how many ?how-to? books you read. But... if you dwell in the secret place of the most High, you shall abide (there's that word ?shall? again!) under the shadow of the Almighty. You shall call upon Him, and He will answer you: He will be with you in trouble; He will deliver you, and honor you. With long life will He satisfy you, and show you His salvation. (Ps. 91: 1,2,15,16)

Bless you and be perfectly happy in the assurance that you have a heavenly Father who cares for you in every aspect of your life!