In the American Declaration of Independence, one of history’s most famous documents, the nation’s founding fathers asserted: “All men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain immutable Rights, among which are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

Many people spend their entire lives looking for happiness. When we were younger, we imagined that happiness came with age (for example, when a 5-year-old wants to be old enough to go to school and the young person wants to be 18 to be “free”). Some people think that happiness will come with the city (which side of the city do I live on, the places I visit). Some say: “I got married to be happy” (and today they are unhappy).

But did you know that God never told us to seek happiness? There was never, in the Word of God, a command to pursue happiness. What God has commanded us to do is to serve others and obey Him. So we understand that happiness comes from that. If we are at peace with God and are useful to others, we will be happy. So, happiness never was and should not be the goal in life (it is a consequence). God’s idea of happiness is very different from human beings’ idea of happiness. And this just shows us how far human beings are from God.

Therefore, you must not want to be happy, you should want to be useful, correct and just. If you are a person who serves others and who walks in righteousness before God, you will find happiness. The Bible warns us: “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than the one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6). That is, there are rich people who walk in perverse ways and, therefore, they have no peace. So, I prefer to use the word “contentment”. As Paul pointed out, “(…) I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). I’m not talking about an accommodated person, who doesn’t want to improve in life, but about being grateful for what you have and who you are. Be grateful. And when you start doing that, people will realise how happy you are. And that just happened, because you started to honour God first in your life. Watch the video above and think about it.