In the 'Mister Men' books by Roger Hargreaves we are told about Mr Happy who lived in Happy Land and was always smiling. One day he met Mr. Miserable and took him to his home to help him by giving him lessons in the use of the face muscles!

But where is true happiness to be found? Some have sought in wealth, pleasure and fame but have never found lasting happiness in any of those things.

Happiness, thou lovely name; where's thy seat, O tell me where?
Learning, pleasure, wealth and fame all cry out, "It is not here."!
Not the wisdom of the wise can inform me where it lies;
Not the grandeur of the great can the bliss I seek create.

Indeed the more effort that is put into finding real happiness, often the more restless people become. And what restlessness there is in this world today.

All sorts of genuine efforts are made to find a rest of heart that will bring the calm and tranquillity of peace. The search for tranquillity is on - and in a big way. People swallow tons of tranquillisers and buy many books on the subject. People are told to tell themselves "What a wonderful morning this is. What a wholesome and delicious breakfast awaits me. What a congenial boss I have at the office."

But it doesn't help when the soothing thought fails to match with reality. No amount of positive thinking can change the facts.

So can lasting peace and happiness be found? God says it can. Listen to these words from God's Word, the Bible:-

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The only peace, that is worthy of the name, is peace with God, which cannot be self-manufactured but can be found by seeking God and being right with Him. Asking Him to receive us in Jesus, wash away all that is sinful and offensive to Him in our lives and seek His lasting peace in our souls.

One of our hymn-writers says,

"Stayed upon Jehovah hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised perfect peace and rest."