The Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary agree to a certain level in their perspectives on happiness as an emotional state characterised by feeling fulfilled or satisfied. It is also viewed as the state of pleasurable contentment of the mind.
Having an understanding of the true meaning of happiness and the need to find happiness in God is essential to believers in Christ because it plays an important role in our lives. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that it gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness to the man who pleases Him.
Texts: Deuteronomy 33 29
Jeremiah 29:11
1. Give the meaning of happiness
Generally, happiness is defined as contentment, pleasure, gladness, joy or delight. However, biblically, happiness is not the absence of hardships or suffering in life; neither can it be equated with good feelings or mere human emotion; it is rather an established confidence in God and His love.
A renowned writer said that happiness is the state of spiritual satisfaction in the presence of God that causes one to rejoice and praise God with a heart of gratitude. We can choose and determine our level of happiness by our need offorrod and a desire to constantly do His will.
Happiness is the state of those who live wisely, according to the will of God and His purpose. God’s Word is so clear about our path to happiness because He is One who gives us the deep desire for happiness; He is our strength and our happiness.
And just as we know, God’s commands are our instructions for happiness; He includes us in His plan because our happiness can only be found in Him who created us; therefore, as believers, we should know that God’s Word is the most important source of true happiness.
To find true happiness in the world, we must first seek Him, learn His Word, help other people and love them selflessly. God, who loves us, wants what is best for us in all seasons of our lives.. Therefore, happiness is not a worldly trait. It is a gift from a God who delights in the well-being of His children.
In other words, true happiness can be experienced through total obedience to God’s commands; in an obedient relationship to God and His revealed Word and not necessarily the acquisition of material wealth. Happiness should be more than merely getting what we desire.
2. Develop how we can find happiness in God
Having a relationship with God, serving Him and surrendering to His sovereignty is one of the basic ways we can show our love for God. The more we love Him, the more we will find contentment and peace that the world could never give.
The need to know Jesus, establish a relationship with Him and seek after Him genuinely is the root to one’s happiness in life. The world will bring you heartaches and disappointments, but with Jesus, you can always find comfort. He knows how to work all things out for your good. He alone gives true happiness.
Many times, people make a list of what they think they need to make them happy. Some people believe their need for money is everything to their happiness, and they become obsessed with the pursuit of it. Some others pursue their careers, even something as superficial as material possessions, or when good things come their way, they believe these are essential to their happiness.
However, this is contrary to biblical injunction. The foundation of happiness for believers is in our relationship with God and the desire to do His Will.
Nothing else can satisfy like Jesus can. Truly, if we understand our need for Him for happiness, we will realise that even if we have all other necessities of life, ittheyannot give us true happiness. The following are some other ways to find happiness in God.
- When we know God and maintain a steady relationship with Him;
- When we are faithful to God’s commands, we will have joy, peace and ultimately happiness even amid crisis
- When we know that our foundation for happiness is in our relationship with God.
- When we learn to pray and trust God for all our needs.
- When we learn to seek the face of God through prayer and other spiritual disciplines.
True happiness is found in committing oneself to seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Hence, it is important for disciples to know that apart from a genuine relationship with the Creator, God, true happiness may elude us.
Unless we understand this principle, we may miss the right biblical perspective on the concept of happiness and be tempted to equate it with human feelings and emotions. Read Psalm 1465.
3. Say how Christians are to be a source of happiness to others
In one of the sermons of Jesus, He described His followers as the salt and light of the world. This statement is a confirmation that, as Christians, we should be sources of happiness as well as salt that sweetens. As such, we are to make the lives of people around us colourful and bring happiness to the hearts of our fellow brethren in the following ways:
Show love and concern
Showing love and concern goes a long way. It affects people’s lives positively. Many people are going through hardship and painful experiences, especially in recent times. They wish to share with people who can either encourage them or help solve their problems. Unfortunately, some Christians are not accessible; they do not show love and concern to others, hence, this results in them seeking help from unbelievers, which in the long run worsens their situation.
Giving
As Christians, giving generously and sacrificially should be a part of our daily lifestyle. It may be in cash or kind, or as the case may be. We will become a source of happiness to our fellow brethren when we give whatever we have to support them. Giving expresses obedience and gratitude. God seeks out and recognises those who give generously. We must show love to other people by giving.
Prayer
Prayer is a very essential tool; it serves as a means of moral and physical support. It is a form of encouragement to other people, especially those in need. People seem to be happy when they know that you share their challenges and pray for them regularly.
Encouragement
Encouragement motivates in times of trouble and challenges and ensures hope and confidence for a better tomorrow.
Sharing testimony
Sharing the testimony of God’s faithfulness in one’s life with others can bring joy and happiness to them. It lifts their spirits and gives them a form of hope to forge ahead.
Make referrals
We can refer people to professionals or businesspeople based on their expertise. This will help improve their profit and help them grow and expand their business, which will solve their problems and bring them happiness in the long run.
Preach salvation
Preach the gospel of salvation to everyone around you so that those who are yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord can be saved. When they find Christ, they will certainly be happy for the gift of salvation.
Invite them to church.
The church is built for all because it is an extension of the family of God. It is a place where people should be invited to receive support and love as they relate with one another freely.
Visitation
Believers should endeavour to visit other people regularly, pray for them and give their support when the need arises to make them feel loved.
Christians can be a source oofhappiness to other people. Apostle Paul encouraged the brethren in Galatia not to be weary in doing well because they would reap the reward at the appointed time. Read Galatians 6 9-10.
4. Explain how God is the True Source of Happiness
Several people and some Christians today have the wrong idea of where truth comes from. This is a dangerous trend. Even if it is mentioned among the unbelievers, it should not be among the disciples of Jesus Christ. God, the Creator, remains the source of all things, including visible and invisible, material and immaterial, living and non-living, heavens and earth. Everything comes from God (James 17).
Lack of proper understanding of the only source of true happiness poses a potential danger to the normal and abundant life every Christian should live. This article focuses on understanding God as the only source of true happiness, identifying ways to access true happiness, and being initiated on the benefits of appropriating true happiness in individual lives.
According to Genesis chapter 1, God created everything that would be essential to humankind and his well-being so that he would be happy. In other words, at creation, man lacked nothing.
As man acknowledges and appreciates God, he enters into a covenant of happiness provided by God for his life. His plans for us are “… to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 2911).
This confirms the fact that there is no reason for a man not to be happy. It also means no man can get anything for himself by relying on self-effort. Happiness, therefore, comes when one enters into a relationship with God, firmly believing in his ability to do what he said He would do, which is best for you. As you trust God, He responds by filling you with happiness, bringing peace to your heart.
When God is not the source from which a man derives happiness, no matter the riches he may attain, he will always lack happiness. It is common that some rich people with everything at their disposal lack true happiness because they have no relationship with God.
The presumed and short-term happiness sometimes depends on their immediate successes. Unfortunately, such happiness does not stand the test of time, unlike believers who find happiness in God, even in the face of troubles.
5. Develop Ways of Seeking God for True Happiness
People are ready to put in anything provided they get what they want, whether it is done in a good way or aan d way. However, it should be noted that true happiness comes as a blessing from God to those who live to honour and obey His commands.
To seek something is the same as to look for, to search for, or to be on the lookout for something important. By this definition, it implies that believers should make constant effort to search for true happiness that comes from God without being discouraged. Therefore, below are some ways Christians can seek God for true happiness.
Know God and serve Him..
The truth has been established that God is the source of true happiness. So, as believers, we should not only know God, but we must diligently serve Him to enjoy true happiness.
Have faith in Him
Faith is very important in our spiritual journey. When we have faith and confidence in God that He can do all things, no matter our troubles and worries, we will find happiness in Him.
Believe in His promises..
God is ever faithful to His promises. When we believe in the promises of God, which are good and not evil (Jeremiah 2911), we should rejoice and praise Him for what He will do.
Prayer
Whenever we pray concerning any issue, we should believe that our prayers have been answered, whether we have seen the physical manifestation or not. The assurance we have should show forth in our thanksgiving.
Patience
Patience is a godly virtue that is gradually eroding from our society. When we have prayed with conviction of what God has promised to do, we wait patiently for the manifestation.
Contentment
When believers are satisfied with what they have, they will surely find happiness. One must be content with whatever God has given them, and to achieve this, self-discipline is essential, especially in the days we are in; we should strive to live a self-disciplined lifestyle.
Return to God
The Bible clearly states that God hates sins but loves sinners. He desires that sinners will return to Him and be saved. When we return to God through total repentance, we will find happiness. The fact remains that true happiness is more than seeking and receiving immediate satisfaction.
It is more of being satisfied with what God has given us, the privilege of existence and the opportunity of having a relationship with Him. When we embrace happiness, we will become a source of blessing to others around us and also become good stewards of God.
6. Examine the Benefits of Seeking God for True Happiness
Everything in life has its causes and effects, including the choices we make from time to time. There are benefits for those who seek God for true happiness. Some of them are discussed below.
Peace all-round
The lives of those who seek God for true happiness are usually characterised by peace all around; they are not easily troubled, no matter the challenges they may encounter. They trust God is in control and that it will end in praise.
They pray right.
Those who seek true happiness in God pray rightly, according to the will of God for them. Their focus is on God alone.
They are willing to please God always.
Those who seek true happiness in God live for Him alone; they sacrifice their time, resources, and much more to do His will at all times to His glory. The happiness in the hearts of such people can serve as motivation to others to please God always.
People are attracted to them.
The virtue of happiness is contagious. When people see a happy person, they admire them. He/she becomes a centre of attraction that people will love to be araroundecause they are attracted to the positive energy they see in that individual.
They become solutions to others.
There is no doubt that those who seek happiness in God become solution providers to other people around them. In other words, they will become reference points.
Disciples of Jesus should understand that it is not wrong for someone to have a positive mindset and to be happy, even though they are going through a difficult situation (Philippians 4:4). At such a time, believers should rejoice in the confidence of knowing God and the assurance that He will intervene. It is also important to know that happiness is not an absence of sorrow or grief ,but the confidence that there is a way out because our God is greater than the troubles.
Conclusion
God created us to be happy and fulfilled in life, so happiness is a part of God’s plan for us as His children. Therefore, as we find happiness in God, our source, we must be a source of happiness to other people. Believers should not allow worldly things to hinder them from becoming sources of happiness to other people. Read Romans 38-39.
Therefore, we should endeavour to show our happiness so that people will be connected to us to find happiness. Christians, from generation to generation, are known to be solution providers.
Roadmap
God created all things, and of all His creation,, man is the greatest gift He made. Therefore, every man must desire to live in obedience to Him and be happy always. We are made in the image and likeness of God and are blessed with the capacity of dominance over other creatures.
This makes us special beings before God. Therefore, we all owe God unending gratitude for what He has done, which calls for our happiness always. Unfortunately, the heart of ingratitude stands as the root for disobedience to God and failure to pursue His plans for us. Those who have missed the plans of God for their lives have chosen to seek happiness through self-efforts or worldly pleasures.
And anyone who seeks happiness from any other means apart from God, who is the only source, will end up in disappointment and frustration. We all need to return to God so that we will enjoy true happiness and his blessings. Read further on this page.
