Lesson 26: Whatever State I May Be In..
Kentucky Division Chaplain Chaltas

Have you ever wondered why some people seem so happy and others seem to be in misery? Have you ever listened to someone explain why their glass is half empty while others are rejoicing because theirs is half full? What makes the difference and how do you find happiness? One of my heroines in life is a lady who made a profound statement. She said, "Everything has its wonders, even silence and darkness, and I find whatever state I may be in, therein to be content." Wow! This is powerful. And knowing that Helen Keller is the author of the positive statement on life is even more amazing. This wondrous deaf and blind lady was able to hear in her silence and saw the light in her darkness. Why can't we learn this important lesson of life? Helen Keller also stated that, "Your success and happiness lie in you...resolve to keep happy with your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." Is it the attitude that we must change? Walters stated, "Happiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances." So we can safely assume that attitude will help maintain happiness. "Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." So choices are a part of being happy. Another saying that I like is, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Well then it must be the choices that we make? Or is it our emotions that create our happiness or our sorrow? Hugh Prather wrote, "Happiness is easy. It is letting go of unhappiness that is hard. We are willing to give up everything but our misery." Another component of happiness is added. We must learn to forgive others and let go of our sorrows. Is Happiness never found? Is it created one moment at a time? This I know: happiness is never held in the pocket but released on the wind for others to find." Finally it is a gift. But how do we obtain it?

In Proverbs we can find a key to happiness. Proverbs 17:22 states, "A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bone." In Chapter 18:14 of the same book, the Bible states, "The spirit of man will sustain him in sickness: but who can bear a broken spirit." But the verse that gives us a glimpse into happiness deals with 'a peace that passeth all understanding.' This peace can be found only when you find salvation and acknowledge Him as your Savior and Lord. No Peace, No God or know Peace, Know God. YOU can be sustained in a wondrous peace that passeth all understanding if you seek God. The choice is yours but the decision to find such peace will leave you with a smile upon your soul that nothing can erase. Be blessed this day and smile for God truly loves you.