Happiness

I just asked my friends what happiness meant and got several responses. I was told that it does not have a quantifiable definition, but is a choice we make to enjoy the blessings that come our way. Happiness was also said to be coexistent with love: If you love yourself, God, and others, then you will find happiness. Happiness was also considered an illusion filled with sadness and confusion, only occurring based on events that happen in our life to elicit happiness. When the event doesn’t happen, we are not happy. Still one other related happiness to the love of family and friends who love you for who you are, not for what they want you to be or think you should be. So, what is happiness? It is kind of like the ultimate question that Pilate asks of Jesus in John 18:37-38. Pilate is interrogating Christ and Jesus responds to his inquiry by telling him that “everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate than responds, “What is truth?” We never get to hear Christ’s answer, never get to hear the answer to what truth is or how we will know it is truth.

Happiness is much the same way. We can ask, interrogate, inquire, but still the answer remains aloof for no one can define it with a singular, unified definition. Rather, happiness is defined through the lens in which the person views life. Interestingly enough, there is a bit of truth to each person’s response to my question, “What is happiness?”, if you look at happiness by earthly terms. However, happiness is indeed defined by scripture and even more so, it comes when we listen to Christ, just as we will know what truth is when we listen to Christ. In Psalm 68:3, David says, “may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God, may they be happy and joyful.” When we rejoice with all that God has done for us (sacrificing His one and only Son for the propitiation of our sins, giving us hope in eternal life, and power to conquer an earthly death), all He has spared us from (persecution, eternal condemnation and separation from Him), and all He promises us throughout scripture (providing protection, giving the desires of our hearts, hearing our cries and our prayers, loving us unconditionally) then we will truly know happiness and joy. Not just one, but both.

Scripture also tells us, in Ecclesiastes 2:26, that “to the man that pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness…” Once again truth is spoken. We were created to bring God pleasure (Zephaniah 3:17) and when we do, we are filled with treasures from heaven above, including happiness. God = happiness. I like that equation. Simple, yet true. Simple, yet often difficult to fathom.

We get so stuck in the whirlwind of what the world defines happiness to be, when in reality there is no earthly definition. If we rely on things, people, or events to make us happy, then expect to be miserable. Things will rot, get stolen, be too expensive, or get lost or destroyed. Then what? Happiness will fade. People will let us down, hurt us, disappoint us, turn their backs on us, and mistreat us. Then where is your happiness? Gone. Events last only for a while. A birthday party is over. The New Year’s Eve celebration is finished when the clock exceeds midnight. Christmas fades into a time of bills and debt. Then what? When the world determines your happiness, you will never truly be happy. However, if you allow God to define your happiness, it will be eternal and no one will ever be able to steal it from you.

God is happiness, and not anything or anyone can destroy God. God is love that fills our hearts with happiness and joy. God is truth, that sets us free from bondage, bringing happiness and peace. God is light, keeping us from getting lost in the chaotic world in which we live, bringing happiness and clarity. God is wisdom that guides our thoughts and decisions, enabling us to choose wisely, bringing happiness and contentment. God is happiness.

Don’t let your happiness and joy rest in the arms of the world where it will get dropped and be destroyed. Live your life for God, and find peace, joy, contentment, love, forgiveness, eternal life, and hope….all bringing eternal happiness, not just to your heart, but your soul as well.

This is the day that the LORD hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

–Psalm 118:24

Happiness

Resting in the cradle of the world

Rocked to and fro

Awakening the reality

Happiness is fleeting

Nestled in the breast of God

Held tightly by the arms of love

Filled with peace, joy, comfort, and hope

Happiness is eternal

Swinging in the branches of life