In Week One of WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY, we spoke if we want to be happy, we need to love people more than things.

““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” MATTHEW 22:36-39 NIV

What Makes You Happy – Week 1

Think for a minute about something that makes you happy. We’re talking really and truly happy. Not that quick, fleeting kind of happiness you get from eating a really good dessert, or winning a basketball game, or finally buying that brand new pair of shoes. No, we’re talking about the kind of happiness that sticks with you for more than just a few moments—the kind of happiness that you feel deep down in your soul. 

Have you thought of something? Good! Now think about this: Is the thing that you thought of—the thing that makes you really and truly happy—a someone instead of a something? Chances are it is. Because real, true, and lasting happiness in our lives is always connected to a who rather than a what. In other words, happiness is about relationships.

And that’s exactly the way God designed it to be! He knew that the best thing we could do for ourselves was to get into healthy relationships with others. But He also knew that we’d only be able to do that if we first got into a relationship with Him. When asked what the greatest commandment is—the most important thing His followers could do—Jesus answered with this:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37;39 NIV).

Love God. Love people. Develop a loving relationship with God, and you’ll be able to develop loving relationships with other people. Because He’s the most important Who that can contribute to your happiness! What’s one thing about your relationship with God that truly makes you happy? Thank Him for it this week!