The Secret—Chapter 2 of The Resolution for Women

Shirer uses a clear analogy of how we have been deceived on the true definition of happiness.  We used to be taught that happiness came from being content, but just like the game of telephone, that message has been twisted and distorted into the idea that happiness comes from having something bigger, better, faster, prettier, etc. We are attacked with advertisements that tell us that we need the next “new” thing. We are told that if we don’t have a college education that we will never make something of ourselves. We are told that if we don’t buy our children everything they want, that we are bad parents. We are told that we need to look like models if we want to be pretty.

If we truly want to know how to be happy, we need to learn to be content. The apostle Paul said it well when he said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” (Philippians 4:11) He had to learn to be content. It wasn’t something that came naturally, but it is something that is possible. “Contentment . . . was a skill he had chosen and adopted, then had mastered and applied to his tumultuous life experience.” He had to resolve to be content and work at it. He discovered satisfaction in a life with God instead of a life with stuff. 

“When you’ve concluded that what you already have on hand is enough, that it’s adequate—that its been deemed by God as sufficient—then you’re equipped and empowered to participate fully in the tasks set before you during this season in life.” Wow! What an eye-opening statement. When we think we don’t have what it takes to do what God called us to do, then maybe we should either evaluate if we are trying to do something God didn’t call us to do or that we aren’t recognizing what He has truly given us. We also need to realize, “if you don’t have it—whatever it is—it’s because you don’t need it.”

This chapter has gone along nicely with my quest for joy. I need to not only realize that I already have everything I am supposed to have at this point in my life, but that I need to learn contentment with that and focus on what God wants me to do right now and not when whatever happens. I need to focus on blessing people now no matter if I have a little or a lot. I need to focus on giving of myself instead of wishing I had something to give. I need to focus on why God is allowing certain things to happen in my life and be content with the lessons being learned from them.

I think I have truly learned the secret to life—contentment in whatever state you are in. I have heard it multiply times before, but it has finally been beaten into my head enough that I finally “get it”. I don’t need to worry about what others have that I don’t. I don’t need to worry about what they think about how I am living my life. God allows things in my life for a purpose and as long as I am fulfilling the purpose He has for me, then it doesn’t matter what they think.

My joy comes from the Lord and not from things or from man. “For the joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).