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"Two Paths To Happiness"

The new MLB season has begun and every team wants to win the ultimate prize - the World Series!

But as Sam Miller explains on ESPN.com, “Only one team will win this year's World Series, but many more will be happy with the season to come.”

Miller’s article breaks down how each team’s idea of success has “two paths to happiness” - one on the pleasure scale related to accomplishments and the other on the pain scale related to avoiding pain.

Unfortunately, many of us use this standard for our own success. We often pursue pleasure because we view success as having the most accomplishments like fame, power, and money. We also do whatever we can to avoid pain because we want our lives to be smooth sailing.

Either way, we know deep down that true success and fulfillment do not come from selfish pleasures…and pain actually grows us and deepens our faith.

I’m not saying we should seek pain, but the idea that a successful life is free from pain is misguided. I’m also not saying we shouldn’t enjoy life, but when our main motive is finding pleasure, emptiness is the result.

When we give up going our own way and choose to follow Jesus, our standard for a successful life changes. 

Titus 3:3-5 (NLT) explains, "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

"But—When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

We also know that a life of faith involves seasons of pain, suffering, and persecution. Because choosing obedience may require pain, we embrace it instead of avoiding it.

Today, let’s be encouraged to shift our perspective on what true success looks like and realize it’s not based on pleasures and avoidance of pain, but a life fully rooted in Christ.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me not to get caught up in life’s fleeting pleasures and to accept pain as a pathway to growth. I want to live a holy life that’s pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.