Reasonably Happy

Happiness Masquerading as Joy

Do you know what it feels like to be in the middle of where you currently are and where you desire to be? I do. There has always seemed to be a tension between the two for me. I’m grateful for my present circumstances because they represent an answer to the prayers my heart cried out to God for. While I don’t want to take them for granted, I know there are still steps I need to climb even if I can’t see the top. I know I still haven’t “arrived”. Yes, make no mistake, arrived is in quotations because I have to wonder if there is an actual arrival destination this side of heaven. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the serenity prayer. I was first introduced to it when I was participating in step studies through Celebrate Recovery. There’s a line in the serenity prayer that touches on being reasonably happy in this life.

So what exactly does it mean to be reasonably happy? I think being reasonably happy means we put down the expectations we hold for how life should be and instead embrace life’s reality all the while striving towards joy. Let’s be honest here. Happiness comes and goes. It isn’t constant since it’s based on fickle feelings. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have a car that can reliably get you from point A to B? Do you have a job that helps you pay your bills? Are the kids healthy and staying out of trouble? For most, the way these questions are answered are the determining factors of their happiness. But joy is so much deeper. Joy isn’t determined by your circumstances; joy is despite your circumstances. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:12,

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

Mind you, he spoke these words while imprisoned. Can you imagine having that type of outlook on life while being in chains? If I had to guess, most of us would probably say no. We may not be behind literal prison bars like Paul was, but if we allowed ourselves some self-reflection I bet we could identify something we are chained to. Once we determine what those things are, what are we willing to do to break free from those chains so we can experience being reasonably happy in this life? Philippians 4:13 goes on to state just how Paul was able to sustain such joy in the midst of adversity,

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

If Paul could experience joy and contentment even within the confines of prison, who is to say we can’t?