The Pursuit of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happiness

Many people live life as if they had a constant storm cloud over their heads.  They seem perpetually frustrated, angry, anxious, or sorrowful, and it seems that there is nothing in the world that can convert them to a more positive state of mind.  Many people search for happiness and contentment and can’t seem to find them, and many others simply abandon the search for a brighter outlook and are resolved to be a year-round Grinch.  It seems like many of these people only approach happiness when they’ve made everyone around them as miserable as they are!

What about when life circumstances and chance are against you?  Is it possible for one to be happy when the roof has a leak and there’s no money to pay for the repairs?  Is it possible to be happy following the death of a loved one?  Is it possible to be happy when one is unpopular and teased by others?

A mountain of books has been published on the subject of finding happiness and true fulfillment in life.  But only ONE book reveals to us the true path to genuine, lasting happiness and contentment.  Consider some points the Word of God makes about finding and maintaining happiness of spirit.

The first two verses of Psalm 128 teach, “Happy is every one who fears the Lord and walks in His ways.  You will eat the labor of your hands.  Happy you will be, and it will be well with you.”  What does fearing God have to do with happiness?  Everything!  That is, when

we understand that the happiness we find in fearing God is not the same as the feeling of happiness worldly men pursue.  The word translated ‘happy’ here can also be translated ‘blessed’ or ‘favored.’  Think of a little child who is favored by a parent: ice cream treats and special toys are that child’s bounty, and imagine how that child feels about his relationship with his parent.  It is that feeling of privilege, security, hope, and deepest gratitude that points us to understanding the happiness we have in fearing God.

The worldly-minded individual sees happiness as a feeling that comes and goes based on one’s circumstances.  If things are going well, then one has something about which to be happy.  If things are not going well, it takes away one’s happiness.  But we find in God’s word that true happiness is not contingent upon what happens to us in this world: happiness is a choice!  One can choose to be happy by choosing to trust in the Lord (Jos. 24:15).

Proverbs 16:20 says, “happy is he who trusts in the Lord.”  Happiness isn’t just poured into our hearts simply because we trust in the Lord; but when we trust in Him by following what He has commanded, the RESULT is that our lives are generally better.  Many Christians are not happy, are discontent about their relationship with God because they simply are not faithfully doing all that the Lord requires of them.  They see the poor circumstances life has dealt them and they respond, not by prioritizing faithful obedience to the Lord, but by prioritizing the worldly solutions to their problems.  For example, if the money is running low, they expect to be happy by getting the right job, even if that job conflicts with their attendance to the assemblies and work for the local church.  But by denying the Lord, they drift further away from true happiness.  Happy is he who trusts the Lord, not he who trusts in worldly gain.

Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is he who finds wisdom, and he that gets understanding.”  Happiness can be found in gaining knowledge.  Think about that “Aha!” feeling one gets when something once unknown is revealed.  Its always a source of pleasure or satisfaction when we learn something new.  But what about when it comes to eternal, life-changing knowledge?  We should be able to find happiness in searching the scriptures, in transferring true wisdom and knowledge into our hearts and lives; by exercising that wisdom, our lives are made better, and we in turn will increase in happiness.

God’s word also teaches us that our happiness can be increased by helping and doing for others (Prov. 14:21).  The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and sorrow and discouragement are creeping into your heart, go out and do something to serve someone else in need.  Give to the poor.  Clothe the naked.  Provide a place of refuge for those who are without home and shelter.  Call or visit one of the brethren.  Focus outward on others instead of inward on self, and see how the Lord blesses you and how you will increase in happiness, contentment, and gratitude.

As Christians, we should be the happiest people on earth.  (Psa. 144:15, Psa. 146:5) And yet, many Christians are seen as bitter, curmudgeonly, and pessimistic, and every word they speak is negative and discouraging about the future.  Many Christians have allowed the world to choke out the happiness they once enjoyed as a child of God.  But, if we endure the struggles of this world, hold up the walls of our faith as evil and discouraging spirits press in on us, we will be happy indeed.  James 5:11 says, “We count them happy that endure…”

Are YOU happy???  What is the source of your happiness?  Even if you are struggling and suffering in this world, if you are living a life of servitude to God and suffering for Christ, happiness is yours for the “the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (I Peter 4:14)

Jeremy Koontz