So, what is "happiness"? Why do we chase it? Why are we willing to change just about anything in our life to get it? Why is it so elusive? Is life about being happy and continually trying to be happy? I don't think so.

Take a person we know about for an example. Think about the apostle Paul. Paul was constantly in conflict or escaping from or imprisoned by those who would try to shut down his ministry down. His life was not easy or comfortable by any stretch of the imagination. He was constantly in new and many times very uncomfortable situations. But, was he "happy?"

Look at Romans 12:12. Most people in Paul's shoes would be looking for a new line of work, one that paid better and offered a few more benefits and a lot less grief. But Paul tells us to "...Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction..." Even when Paul's circumstances of life were extremely difficult he was telling us to be joyful and patient. Why? Because these "afflictions" are temporary. Very difficult to deal with, and yes, I know, they have to be dealt with. But they are temporary nonetheless. I believe Paul's secret is that he focused nearly all his thought and energy on Jesus Christ, all the time. Yes, he still had to deal with everything he was going through, but I bet if you were to ask Paul what it was like having been in prison he would tell you about how God worked through the experience, not how much the shackles hurt or how little he had to eat. The circumstances were secondary.

I struggle with this just as much as anyone. But I think the goal as Christians is to live outside of our circumstances.How? Pray constantly and study the word (I mean study, not just casually read). With Christ as the most important thing in our life at ANY given moment, the circumstances will be difficult, but seem much less important. The need to be comfortable or happy will also seem less important, and certainly not worth constantly chasing it.