Today in my Bible study, with Pastor Greg Laurie, the Lord led me to think about happiness. How and where do we find it? What is the happiness we all strive for? All of us find ourselves running in this marathon, trying to achieve happiness. What should Christians understand about happiness? 

 Can we all find happiness? Why are sadness and unhappiness so prevalent in this world? Doesn’t it seem it is getting worse?

 I do not have all the answers, but do know where to start: the Bible, especially in the New Testament. 

In Christ. ❤ 

How do you define or describe what happiness is? What does it look like? Does it come from the lifestyle you desire? Is it economic stability? Is it a successful career? Is it family? Is it pleasure? Or is it God, and His relationship with you? What makes you get up in the morning: an alarm clock or a purpose? 

And… what if we don’t know our purpose, or calling that God has given us? Where do we look for clarification? What can we do? *panicking* 

Yes, health, peace, and stability offer comfort in our lives, and an easy life, for sure. And we all work towards that goal. Trust me, I desire all of these things for my loved ones’ lives and mine. But I ask myself: ‘’Would I really be happy even if I had all of that?’’ Yes, I would feel happy, sure. But would I have found ultimate happiness…I don’t know. 

I believe Jesus answered that for all of us. *not panicking now*

Well, there are some great Christian authors, like C.S. Lewis and many more, who dive into this, so I recommend reading Christian books. But knowing what I know now, it’s crucial to spend time with God and to pray. Be honest, be sincere, admit to Him what you don’t understand, or are having a difficult time accepting, when things don’t go your way. We know trusting in Him is what we must apply, but in the way we THINK, and not just how we feel. Like Job, for example.

 Going based on how one solely feels, actually isn’t the source of understanding God’s purpose for us. 

Thinking Biblically is key. With time, you will master this, trust me. I myself have a long way to go. We must be patient. But the Bible has everything we need because God made it happen through people like you and me, who struggled and suffered, and asked questions and sought. So prayer, the Bible, patience, and trust are the main ingredients, I would say.  Jesus poured out his heart to his Father, in prayer.

We must read the Bible again and again because it shapes our worldview; it helps us to look at the world through a Biblical lens. It helps us to see and love the world the way Jesus does, and how He demonstrated it.

• Philippians was written by Paul the Apostle to the Christian congregation he had established in Philippi, probably at Rome or Ephesus, about 62 CE, while he was in prison. This 11th book of the New Testament is sometimes considered the most joyful book in the Bible. How can such a hopeful book be written under such challenging circumstances? So happiness isn’t due to our circumstances? 

• Paul knew at that moment that he was a prisoner. Some believers in the Church were against him, but Paul knew God was in control. That was all he needed to know. 
• Paul went to Rome to preach and ended up in prison, which was exactly what God wanted. Why? Paul preached to an elite group of people who would have not been reached otherwise. He spread the Gospel even further. 

You might be ‘’chained’’ to a non-believer as a Christian, chained to someone you don’t understand. Asking the question: Why do I have to be with this person? What is the point? 

Perhaps, similar to Paul’s scenario, God wants you to be there, to reach that person for Him!

Sometimes the most argumentative, the loudest, and most difficult person trying to restrain the Word of God, is hit by God the most. They are actually closer to accepting Christ than someone who is super nice to you, smiles and thanks you, but maybe won’t even read the Gospel tract you gave them, for example, and won’t really listen to the message. 

I’ve noticed a pattern when talking about Jesus with non-believers of Christ. Even if they are atheists or from another religion, they make such strong, often negative statements about Jesus, but wouldn’t have that type of response talking about other religious figures. With Jesus, this ‘’tolerance’’ isn’t typically applied. 

So be encouraged as a Christian when someone or something is challenging your joy from God. That’s what Paul did, even in prison. He didn’t let his circumstances blind Him to God’s purpose in a difficult scenario.

• Every soul is wanted in the Kingdom of Heaven, and that means some of us must go through rough journeys in order for other souls to be saved. Wouldn’t you want to be so wanted by someone? And that someone is God, your Creator, your Father. 

The Lord will do anything to bring you home. To a true home. And you and I can be used by God to do just that. When you live for Christ, you will accept God’s will for your life. You might not understand it at first, but knowing it is God who has planned this, you will rejoice. That is why the Bible, and studying the Bible regularly, is crucial. You won’t be led by emotion, when the enemy can easily sneak into your thoughts.

Having a heavenly mind is what we should strive for, each one of us, rather than being too preoccupied with being perfectly ‘’religious’’. We must seek heavenly things. This does not mean that going to church or certain Christian traditions should be discouraged, but I believe Jesus taught us to seek our home, Heaven, where He is preparing us a place. 

His laws are written in our hearts. 

We all have questions for God: ‘’Why did this happen?’’, ‘’Why did You not make this happen?’’, ‘’Where were You?’’… We all have a list. But I have a feeling that when we get to Heaven, we won’t even take the list. Because we will understand, and think for ourselves: 

‘’Nevermind. It’s all good.’’

‘’For me to live, is Christ, and to die, is gain.’’ (Philippians 1:21)

 This is what Paul said. I know as a non-believer, this might seem at first a bit weird, but hear me out, my friend. 

Death is a continual part of life. This departure is just going to lead you to arrival at your true home. Don’t you feel sometimes that you do not belong here? 

The life ahead with Him is going to be perfect, beyond our imagination. God wants you to be happy, that is what we are meant to be. He is trying to take you there. 

Remember, one of the most repeated phrases in the Bible is: Do not be afraid. Jesus repeatedly tells us not to be afraid, as He is with us always, till the end of time. So do not let fear, the sadness of tomorrow and beyond, decide what happiness is. Give Him control, let Him in, and you will unveil all the joy designed for you. Just reach.

If you have come this far, thank you for your support, and I love you! ❤ What are your insights regarding happiness and God?

Let us end with a prayer: Our Father in Heaven, I pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua, for the light to expand in people’s hearts, to reach Your hand to Your children who are in deep agony. Heal them from sadness. And may they come across the truth, where joy is found, in Jesus. May their sufferings and weaknesses be exactly the strength that will bring rejoicing and glory to Your name. We pray in Christ,

Amen.