Good Counsel: Define the Problem
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If you're standing blankly at the "refigerator of life" wondering what it is you really want, read on....
Ever stood in front of the fridge “just looking” because you really didn’t know what you wanted? Or whether you were even sure that you were hungry? But you wanted “something”.
Many go through life that way…. looking blankly at the “refrigerator” of life and not knowing what they want. They may try a plethora of things they think they want or that they think will make them “happy” only to be left with their unhappy cravings left unsatiated. Perhaps they’re gnawing on the hind leg (wrong end) of the problem. Here’s what I mean: instead of going here, there, and yonder trying every thing under the Sun that you think might make you happy, try turning the problem around. What is it that is making you “unhappy”? What’s preventing your happiness?
It is said that a young Chinese Emperor once asked his family’s wise counselor, Confucius, what the single most important advise was that he could give to help him rule well. Confucius replied, “The first thing you have to do is to define the problem.” Good advise.
When we’re standing “unhappily” at the refrigerator of life, we have to first be able to define the problem of what’s making us unhappy- and it’s not a hunger for ‘things’ that needs to be fulfilled. I frame the situation this way because I believe that the natural state of man was intended by the Creator to be “happy”. He provided us with all that we need to not only live, but to love and to enjoy life. So, if we aren’t doing that, we’re doing life wrong! Look, you and I both likely know people with every “thing” anyone could want who are unhappy. And we know people who have practically nothing that are very happy. Similarly, we know people that next-to-nothing that are unhappy and folks with all the blessings of life that are very happy. So what gives? What’s the point then? The point is, among other things, that “happiness” never has been and never will be about “things”- either possessing them or not! Note Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” You see, life and “happiness” is not about things- the abundance or the lack. “Where is this heading?” you ask? Back to Confucius we go.
Remember, he said “You have to define the problem.” Now if God wants, intends, and created man to be “happy” (and He does), and we’re not, then:
1. we don’t understand what “happiness” is; or
2. we don’t understand what prevents it!
Get that: if we’re not happy, something is preventing it. What is it? (And don’t you dare say that you don’t have some “thing” that you want!) Happy or “blessed” is the person who loves the Lord and is being successful at serving Him. Now, I did not say being “successful” in business, family, or even social popularity. When we are “successful” at serving God, we can be (and should be) happy regardless of these other “things.” Proof? Note Gen.4:4-7
“….And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?…”
Sin is our problem that we need to identify, define, and abandon just like God told Cain. When we are righteously serving God, we can be happy regardless of our circumstance or situation. Don’t think so? Listen to Heb.10:34, “For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and joyfully accepted the seizure of you property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.” The people herein described were living righteously, and were happy so-doing.
Are you “unhappy”? Is sin the problem? If so, repent and live happy!