I got what I wanted. Now what?

Many of us have made the statement, “if I get this, I will be so happy!” We fix our eyes on a new house, a new car, maybe completing a task. But the problem comes when we receive what we said would make us happy, only to find out that the happiness lasted only for a few weeks after. And then we settle back into living a sad, disappointed and frustrated life all over again until we fix our eyes on something else to be happy about when we get it. And the cycle continues.

So if we keep aiming for things to be happy about and the “high” only lasts for a few weeks, the issue is deeper. I believe the issue is discontentment for life itself. We thought that having more things would make us happy, all to discover that it is not things that can do the job. Discontentment brings with it so many things, disappointment, frustration and being unfulfilled to name a few.

I know this can be a bitter pill to swallow, but our lives were never meant to be fulfilled by things. Our lives were meant to be fulfilled by God. The Lord did not say we could not have things; He just does not want things having us. Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.” (TPT). Heavenly treasures in this verse gives us the indication that they are not measured the same way material wealth is. Heavenly treasures do not have to be received only when we get to Heaven; they are derived and ordained in Heaven. To name a few, peace of mind, Godly identity, and fulfilling purpose are some of those treasures. Things cannot give us this, though we have tried a long time to be defined by them.

I believe the reason for temporary happiness is that deep inside, we know what we desired is not enough. We need something more. But because we live in a world that feeds us the notion that things equate being happy, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to show us what it truly means to live.

So ask the Holy Spirit to show you the bottleneck in your heart that is keeping you from living a fulfilled life. Do you know who you are in Him? Are you secure in that identity? Do you find yourself under the pressure to prove to people because you are afraid you will not be taken seriously? Allow Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is causing your contentment to be held up. He is a wonderful counselor.