The Source of Joy

What is Happiness?

Happiness can sometimes be viewed as a temporal feeling. If something goes right, then happiness is produced. However, happiness doesn't have to be temporal. No matter the circumstance, the trial, or the pain, an eternal happiness awaits us as long as we seek to find it . This happiness, this source of joy, is our Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ died for us. He suffered for us. He endured every pain, every sorrow, every guilt so that we do not have to suffer. Because He lives, he continues to relieve us of our burdens, our pains, and our guilt. Because of Him, we can feel pure happiness through the comfort and peace of His love for us. As we seek to find Him through kneeling down in prayer, studying His life in the scriptures, and learning to love others through service and support, we will always find joy.

I have a permanent smile on my face every day because of my Savior. I am happy because I know I am never alone. When I am having a bad day, I can find happiness because amongst all the hardships or disappointments I face, I can still find that source of joy. I find this source of joy through acknowledging the good in my day and thinking positively. As I notice the little things: a smile from a friend, an exhilaration as I go for my daily run, or a warm feeling after reaching out to help someone, they overpower the negative thoughts or experiences that occurred throughout my day. As I acknowledge the good, I rely on my Savior to bear my pains and hardships. I can feel happiness each and every day through seeing the good in my day no matter what circumstance I am in. One day at a time, I am able to overcome my adversity and trials through seeking and finding the good and knowing that I have my Savior by my side to walk with me and carry me.

St. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

As I am starting my mission papers to serve a full time mission of 18 months for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I wanted to share my purpose of serving. I want to serve in order to scatter sunshine: to share the light and love of Christ with everyone! I know that through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can return to the embrace of our Father in Heaven as we seek to walk in Christ's ways. Through studying the life and commandments of Christ in the scriptures and living as He did through service and forgiveness, we can rejoice in this eternal happiness.

I invite you to read Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home. He states, "Our Savior, the Good Shepherd, knows and loves us. He knows and loves you. He knows when you are lost, and He knows where you are. He knows your grief. Your silent pleadings. Your fears. Your tears. It matters not how you became lost—whether because of your own poor choices or because of circumstances beyond your control. What matters is that you are His child. And He loves you. He loves His children. Because He loves you, He will find you. He will place you upon His shoulders, rejoicing. And when He brings you home, He will say to one and all, 'Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost...But just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the world, He will find you. He will rescue you."

In order to find the source of joy in our life, we need to look for the good. Not only that, we need to look for Christ in our lives and find Him. I know that as we seek to find Him, He is seeking to rescue us. I am happy because I know my Savior lives. I am happy because I see His hand in my life as I note the tender mercies throughout my day. I know that as you seek to find Him, you will experience eternal happiness.

Scatter sunshine today through expressing charity: the pure love of Christ, to someone! Through this, they can find joy.