It isn’t always politically correct in Christian circles to talk about being happy. We talk about feeling blessed or finding joy in the Lord, but we don’t tell people to seek happiness. I believe it is Scriptural to seek happiness. Let me explain.

What is happiness? Happy is defined as “delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing; characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment or joy” and happiness is defined as “the quality or state of being happy” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary, 1999).

God made us in his image. God experiences delight, pleasure, contentment, gladness, and joy so God experiences happiness. Why wouldn’t he want us to experience the same thing? And why would he only want us to experience happiness in the spiritual realm but not in the physical realm when he made both? The answer is he does want us to experience happiness in both the physical and spiritual realm.

It isn’t right to find happiness by hurting the people you love or abandoning principles and sinning. God doesn’t want us to seek happiness by adopting the world’s attitude of “If it feels good do it.” He wants us to find happiness within the parameters of what’s morally right.

Some of us find it easier to find happiness. Some personalities are naturally more positive, easy going and contented than others. Some of us have been happy in the past and then been disappointed through life circumstances or people who have hurt us. Some also feel that if they feel happiness they will be punished or suffer loss. Others have grown up with the idea that their needs and desires don’t matter and have been trained to focus on other people’s needs and wouldn’t think of asking if they are happy.

I would encourage you to ask yourself if you are happy. If you are, think of the reasons why. If you are not, consider what would make you happy.

Here are some possibilities:

• Find a purpose that involves using your talents and abilities.
• Pursue a goal that improves your skills and abilities.
• Reach out to new or old friends or a support group.
• Deal with a difficult relationship problem that you have ignored.
• Set a boundary in a relationship and stick to it.
• Do something fun and enjoyable.
• Set new priorities that reflect your real values.
• Simplify your life.
• Say no to things that aren’t good for you.

The list could go on. All of these things will bring you happiness that falls within areas that please God.

One more thing needs to be said: in a season of trials, it is hard to experience happiness, because of the heaviness of the circumstances. This is the time that you would need to count it all joy, because you know God is working in the midst of the trial. Joy in trials comes by faith—not in the circumstances. And, I am not saying that God doesn’t allow trials in our lives. He does. All of us will have trials and it is God’s will that we grow through them. There is a season for everything. I am simply saying God created in us the ability to feel happiness, satisfaction, joy, and pleasure and that it is pleasing to God when you experience those feelings.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me find happiness because I believe you want me to be happy. Give me insight into making life choices that will make me happy. Help me trust you completely to find happiness in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Answer this question: Are you happy?
• If you answered yes, ask yourself why you are happy.
• If you answered no, explore what it would take to make you happy.
• Purpose to pursue happiness.

Scripture Meditation

 
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

“I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is the gift of God” (NIV).

Luke 12:16-21

Jesus told the parable of a rich man who produced a good crop and then started to make plans to build more barns and trust in his possessions. He developed an attitude of “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” Jesus told him that he also needed to be concerned about his spiritual state. We are not to seek our happiness at the expense of our spiritual welfare or moral integrity.

Hebrews 11:24-25

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” (NIV)

We can even find happiness by making hard choices that are morally right in difficult circumstances.