We Need God's Love to Be Happy

And to Overcome Addiction

Millions of people throughout the world are starving. And although physical hunger is a world wide problem, that is not the type of hunger I am referring to. I’m talking about spiritual hunger. We don’t have to look very far to find these hungry, or unsatisfied, individuals….perhaps in our own homes; perhaps in our own souls.

We all seek happiness everyday. We are supposed to be happy. Heavenly Father has said, “…men are that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) Why is it, then, that so many of us are unhappy, dissatisfied, empty? Could it be that we are seeking happiness in the wrong places? Or that we have forgotten what real joy is?

A dear friend once shared with me her experience wherein the Lord taught her how she needed to fill her emptiness. She and her husband had always had a strong, healthy relationship. But she had been feeling empty inside, and thought she needed more of his attention and affection. He usually came home from work for lunch. So this particular day, in an attempt to fill her void with his love and adoration, she made his favorite lunch. She carefully set an elegant table for two, and eagerly primped and groomed to look her best before he arrived home.

He was very pleased by the delicious meal, the beautifully set table, and a beautiful wife with whom to eat his lunch. They enjoyed their lunch together. Then he thanked her for the lovely meal, gave her a kiss, and headed back to work.

She was severely disappointed. She still felt empty. Why hadn’t he made her happy? Why hadn’t she received the love that she was so desperately seeking? Her initial thought was to fill the void with temporary happiness—chocolate!

Instead she knelt in prayer. She told her Heavenly Father how disappointed she was that her husband was not giving her the love that she so desperately hungered for. She asked Heavenly Father what more she could do. Then the warmth of the Spirit overcame her as these words filled her mind and heart, “It is my love you need. Let me fill you with my love.”

She realized that it was not her husband’s responsibility to fill the void she had inside. Rather it was her responsibility to turn to her Heavenly Father for the love that He is both willing and eager to give, if we would but receive.

What are we seeking to fill the void? Quick, easy happiness? Television? Food? Work? Or any number of addictions? Are those things filling us with joy? Where is true joy and happiness to be found?

In Lehi’s vision he “beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.”(1 Nephi 8:10)

“And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.” (1 Nephi 8:12)

What does the fruit in Lehi’s dream represent? The Love of God. Therefore the Love of God is desirable to make one happy. The Love of God filled Lehi’s soul with exceedingly great joy, and he knew that the Love of God was desirable above all other fruit.

This has become a very favorite scipture:
Draw ^bnear unto me and I will draw near unto you; ^cseek me diligently and ye shall ^dfind me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63)

By drawing near unto God, we feel His love, and no longer have a need to fill a void, because we are filled with His love. It takes daily effort, but the time investment is far outweighed by the blessings received.

And behold, and lo, I am ^bwith the faithful always. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 62:9)