Hard Truth: There's a Limit to Your Happiness

Have you ever felt like something was too good to be true?

You may get a big break or a blessing that you’ve been hoping for but in the back of your mind, you’re wondering how long it can last. What if you do something to mess it up? 

“Each of us has an inner thermostat setting that determines how much love, success, and creativity we allow ourselves to enjoy. When we exceed our inner thermostat setting, we will often do something to sabotage ourselves,” says psychologist Dr. Gay Hendricks. What does that mean for you?

There’s a limit to the amount of joy you allow yourself to feel. 

If we’re uncomfortable with emotions like joy, gratitude, and happiness we’ll find a way to squash those emotions. We do it even if we pretend to want those things. It’s hard to let yourselves feel joy when there’s so much wrong in the world. But darkness doesn’t have the last word.

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever...The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:1a-2 NLT)

This Advent season, permit yourself to feel a little joy. Let yourself feel a little joy and happiness beyond what you’re comfortable feeling. You don’t have to do it for long. But joy is an act of defiance. It tells dark times and difficult circumstances that they can’t crush you forever.