I'm pretty sure that "happiness" is NOT the goal for the Christian. There are plenty of verses in the Bible that use the word "happy". I don't think there is anything wrong with being happy.
Trouble begins when we think we have the "right" to be happy....and that happiness is what we seek. What about the wife or husband that just doesn't feel happy in the marriage? Never have I heard wedding vows include "as long as we are happy"!
We have to face the fact that life isn't supposed to be easy. We blew it in the Garden of Eden, and now we toil... we work, and relationships are not easy, they take work. This points us to our need for a Savior....and a GREAT one we have! We won't always be happy.
God wants us to have an abundant life! Check out the following verses:
Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
Proverbs 28:19
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Psalm 145:7
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
It's so easy to forget that this earth is not our final home. There is a heavenly home for those who choose Jesus as Savior. We get bogged down in the daily struggles of life, and forget that God has a purpose in our being here. We can enjoy the journey, and we want His Joy to be present in our countenance, but we want our lives to point others to Him. To allow His Glory to shine through our weaknesses.
What about JOY?
Author and Pastor, Rick Warren says:
"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.
You’ll find nothing in that definition about happy feelings, because, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and temporary."
You’ll find nothing in that definition about happy feelings, because, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and temporary."
We definitely want to live a life filled with Joy! The Psalms are FULL of verses that tell us to "shout for joy". Joy is more than a feeling. It doesn't mean feeling good all of the time. Joy includes God's peace. Joy is knowing that nothing can separate us from God's love. Joy can be experienced even in the midst of extreme trial. (see Romans 8:35-39). And of course, we know that weeping may last for the night but JOY comes in the morning! (from Psalm 30:5)
And then there is : "fulfilled" and "satisfied". The Old Testament uses the word "satisfied" in connection with eating. We eat and are satisfied. We sometimes equate satisfied and happy. Happy can have the descriptive words: content, delighted, pleased or glad over something, pleasure, or joy.
Let's go back to the original question asked: Does God want us to be HAPPY?
My answer is: He wants us to live "holy", set-apart lives that bring Glory to His name! He wants us to live abundant lives, avoiding sin, and seeking Him. He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength....and our neighbor as ourselves. He wants us to grow in faith, and knowledge, and point others to the truth. If we are Happy in that....then that is what he wants!
If to be happy, we think we need to buy things we can't afford, go back on our promises---especially in marriage, quit when the going gets a little rough....because we aren't happy, then I don't think God wants us to choose happiness as the goal here.
We don't want our kids to be HAPPY, we want them to know the JOY of hard work accomplished, the struggle worked through, and a life lived for God. It won't be easy. They won't always feel happy.
Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble.... (John 16:33)
buy he does leave his peace with us!
There is so much more to be said on this subject.
When we live our life in the center of God's will, I think we will be happy. No matter what the circumstances.
"Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well." Matthew 6:33
I welcome your comments!
Be blessed!
Pam
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