“If God wants us to be Happy…”

“If God wants us to be Happy…”

“… why did He allow me suffer this physical debility?  If God wants me to be happy, why did He give me these financial struggles?  If God wants man to be happy, why does He allow wicked people to rule over the righteous?  If God wants me to be happy, why did He give me this particular sin with which I struggle?  There is a flood of these kinds of questions in the world, from the mouths of Christians and skeptics alike.  The general accusation is that God is contradictory: He wants us to be happy, but He puts us in situations and causes us to make decisions that make us unhappy. For one who does not believe in the word of God, the primary problem is not God’s allegedly self-contradictory nature, but their rejection of His word as a whole.  We as God’s people must do our best to first lovingly guide them to the understanding that the word of God truly is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).  No scriptural answer given in response to accusations against the nature of God can be offered to one who does not accept scripture as inspired and authoritative.

However, for one who does believe God’s word contains eternal truth, the word offers plenty of teaching regarding happiness and trials, and why they are necessarily a two-for-one deal.

What does the Bible teach about happiness?  God certainly wants us to be happy in this world, but perhaps our understanding of the source of happiness is not always consistent with what the word teaches.  In Matthew chapter 5, the word “blessed” means to be “happy.”  Consider Matthew 5:3ff: “Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted; happy  are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth; happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…happy are the merciful…happy are the pure in heart…happy are the peacemakers…happy are they who are [persecuted, reviled, and spoken evil of for the sake of Christ]…”  Psalm 144:15 says, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.”  Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.”  Proverbs 29:18 teaches, “Happy is he who keeps the law.”  And, “Happy are they who do His commandments, that they might have the right to the tree of life…” (Revelation 22:14).

Now, if we were to go out into the streets and markets asking people, “What makes you happy?” we might get responses such as, “a good job, being in a loving marriage, spending time with friends, eating a good meal, spending time with my children…” etc.  Indeed, all these are sources of happiness, most to which the Bible makes direct reference, e.g., Psalm 127:5 which says, happy is he who has many children.  But notice the difference between happiness regarding eating our favorite foods, having children, having a loving spouse, etc. and the happiness of being obedient to the word of God or finding eternal wisdom: we can still be happy in the later without the former.  That is, if one’s spouse passes away, or if one is never married, or one gets a divorce, happiness can still be found in the Lord.  One can be happy or blessed in the Lord with or without a good meal, with or without children, with or without a good job, and so on.  Happiness in the Lord ought to be sought regardless of what is happening in our worldly lives, and is, in fact, the highest degree of happiness.  On the contrary, one can be happy in something regarding this world, but devoid of happiness in the Lord and in spiritual jeopardy.

Consider the following passages. “Happy [blessed] is he who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him,” (James 1:12) looking forward to a day when all earthly sorrows and joys are ended.  And, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,   that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:6,7)  And then, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (I Peter 4:12,13)  Obedience to the word of God and the worldly suffering that may result ought to be a cause for joy, but the sad truth is that many Christians do not enjoy suffering for Christ; when it comes to living according to eternal truth and the temporary joys of this life, many Christians see personal sacrifice for the Lord only as worldly loss, not as spiritual gain. 

When we feel like obedience to the Lord makes us less happy and increases our difficulty in this world, “look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For, consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself, less you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:1-3).  Jesus prayed in the Garden to His Father that the cup of suffering might be passed from Him, but His attitude and actions followed one great thought, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” Then, our Lord and Savior was crucified on the cross, with joy in His heart, knowing the temporary suffering would end in eternal triumph. 

God is not contradictory in desiring our happiness but putting us in situations that make us unhappy.  Life in this material world is a spiritual trial. James 1:2-4 teaches, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  Patience, brethren.  Patience.  We must continuously and patiently grow into a mature faith so that any decision to obey the Lord does NOT result in any form of unhappiness or discontentment, but rather gives us a spirit of rejoicing.

On a practical level, it can be very challenging to balance being happy in this world, in worldly relationships, in our careers, in material comfort, with keeping the commandments of God as we hope for heaven.  Let us meditate on the word, taking steps, setting daily goals for applying the knowledge of God as we look beyond the fleeting pleasures of this world.

“Seeing that you were raised with Christ, seek those that that are above, where Christ is at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you died, and your life is hidden in Christ.   When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Jeremy Koontz