person happy or contented. Happiness and contentment are states of mind that arise out of our perception of people, circumstances, and how they interrelate with us. Christians believe that ultimately, whether one focuses on being happy, contented, or living a life of peace, the source of these gifts is God. Can you see, however, that these gifts (and they are gifts) are different entities? They are not the same. Even the most happy and contented person, over the course of his or her life, often