The question of whether God wants us to be happy is an important one for many Christians. At first glance, it may seem obvious that the answer is yes – after all, God loves us and wants what is best for us. However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals a more nuanced perspective.
First, it’s important to define what we mean by “happy.” If by happiness we mean a feeling of pleasure, comfort, and ease, then no, this is not necessarily what God desires most for us. The Bible warns against pursuing worldly pleasures and living for our own comfort above all else (Luke 8:14, Philippians 3:19, 2 Timothy 3:4).
However, if by happiness we mean joy, contentment, and a sense of purpose and meaning, then yes, God does want us to experience these things. The Bible clearly teaches that God wants to give us “life to the full” (John 10:10) and that in Christ we can experience deep joy, peace, and contentment, regardless of our circumstances (John 15:11, Romans 15:13, Philippians 4:11-13).
So does God want us to be happy in the sense of feeling pleasure and comfort? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on whether those feelings draw us closer to God or lure us away from Him. God will not indulge our every fleshly desire, but He will absolutely satisfy the longings of our soul for joy, purpose, and connection with Him.
Does God want us to be happy in the sense of having inner contentment, meaning, and delight in Him? Absolutely yes. The Westminster Shorter Catechism famously summarizes the purpose of human existence as “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Our ultimate happiness is found in glorifying and enjoying our Creator.
How then can we experience the happiness God desires for us? By pursuing holiness rather than comfort, by seeking God rather than pleasure, and by finding joy in Him rather than our circumstances. This true, soul-deep happiness comes from knowing Christ, following Him wholeheartedly, and trusting His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives.
The Bible gives us several keys to experiencing the happiness God wants for us:
- Delighting yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)
- Setting your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2)
- Finding contentment in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12)
- Rejoicing in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4)
- Giving thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Holding earthly things loosely (1 Timothy 6:17-18)
- Trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness (Romans 8:28)
- Obeying God’s commandments (John 13:17)
The Christian life is not meant to be easy or comfortable. In fact, Jesus told His followers to expect trouble and persecution (John 16:33). However, He also gave them an abiding joy that cannot be taken away, even in the midst of suffering (John 15:11). This joy comes from union with Christ.
One important aspect of Christian happiness is that it remains grounded in the hope of eternity. Our ultimate happiness is not found in this fallen world, but awaits us in the presence of God forever. As C.S. Lewis famously wrote, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Our souls long for the day when we shall see Christ face to face.
In summary, God wants us to experience pleasure or comfort when it draws us closer to Him, but He wants us to root our happiness primarily in the unshakable joy, meaning, and hope we have through Christ. Happiness in God is not circumstantial but eternal, not fleeting but everlasting. The joy and meaning we have in Him can sustain us through all earthly troubles and point us to our eternal home.
God’s desire for our happiness is summed up beautifully in Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Everything God does in our lives – including allowing pain and trials – is ultimately meant to increase our joy in and reliance upon Him, both now and forever.
Biblical Examples of Joy in Suffering
The Bible gives us many examples of godly people who experienced great joy and contentment, even in the midst of terrible suffering:
- Paul and Silas in prison – After being beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight (Acts 16:25). They exhibited joy and trust in God despite their painful circumstances.
- The early church persecuted – The early believers faced harsh persecution yet had “joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). The apostles were flogged yet “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor” for Christ (Acts 5:41).
- Job – After losing everything, Job responded, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Later God restored abundantly to Job (Job 42:10).
- David – When his infant son died, David declared, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23) and kept worshipping God.
- Abraham – “He rejoiced that he would see [Christ’s] day” even though “he saw and greeted the promises from afar” without receiving them yet (John 8:56; Hebrews 11:13).
- Habakkuk – Though the fig tree should blossom no fruit on the vines, I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
These examples demonstrate that godly happiness is not dependent on pleasant circumstances but on the joy of knowing and treasuring Christ.
Happiness Is Found in Knowing and Enjoying God
The ultimate source of happiness and meaning in life is found in pursuing an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ and living according to His will and purpose for our lives. Here are some key biblical truths showing how knowing God leads to profound happiness:
- In God’s presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Joy is found in seeking God’s face continually, communing with Him in prayer, worship, etc.
- Delighting in the Lord satisfies deeply (Psalm 37:4). Finding our pleasure and treasure in Christ eclipses all earthly delights.
- God’s steadfast love is better than life (Psalm 63:3). Knowing His love surpasses all worldly blessings.
- The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Our power to endure comes from rejoicing in Him.
- God satisfies the longing soul (Psalm 107:9). He alone can quench our deepest thirsts; nothing else suffices.
- God’s words are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). The Scriptures are a limitless source of joy and delight.
- The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17). These qualities permeate the Christian life.
Experiencing life to the fullest comes not through partying, wealth, popularity, or pleasure-seeking but through cultivating a vibrant, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Happiness Is a Choice and Discipline, Not Just a Feeling
Crucially, godly happiness involves training our minds to choose joy and gratitude regardless of changing feelings and circumstances. Consider these principles:
- We can decide to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4). Joy begins with a conscious commitment.
- Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Thankfulness leads to joy.
- Set your mind on Christ (Colossians 3:2). Deliberately reflect on His truth, grace, promises, etc.
- Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Reject thoughts feeding discontentment, complaint, etc.
- Rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12). Remembering our glorious future fosters joy now.
- Keep your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Looking to Him, not our troubles, sustains joy.
Happiness in God involves training our minds to trust His sovereignty and promises, to dwell on the hope we have in Christ, and to choose thankfulness and contentment in all circumstances. His joy then fills and strengthens us.
Happiness Is Found in Living According to God’s Word and Will
Godly happiness comes not merely from feeling good, but from living purposefully. Our Creator has given us clear instruction on how to experience meaningful life:
- Meditating on God’s word (Psalm 1:1-3). Scripture nourishes joy, peace, purpose.
- Obeying God’s commands (Psalm 119:1-2; John 15:10-11). Obedience brings blessing.
- Fulfilling our calling (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). Meaning is found in pleasing God in our work.
- Serving others (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Generosity and serving produce joy.
- Using gifts to serve the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11). Doing our part produces purpose.
- Persevering in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Steadfast righteousness brings peace and contentment.
The happiest people are not those indulging every desire, but those finding meaning and fulfillment in living according to God’s truth. His design for life, relationships, work, and worship leads to purposeful living and true blessing.
Happiness Comes from Fearing God, Not Pleasing Self
Our culture says that pursuing your own desires and pleasure is the road to happiness. But the Bible teaches that fearing God leads to lasting joy and blessing:
- Happy are those who fear the Lord (Psalm 128:1-2). Reverence for God brings contentment and prosperity.
- The fear of the Lord leads to life (Proverbs 19:23). Fearing God grants security and avoids pitfalls.
- Fearing God brings comfort and hope (Psalm 147:11). Honoring Him leads to encouragement.
- Jesus commands us to fear God (Luke 12:5). We are to fear His judgment on sin.
- Fearing God leads to knowing His grace more deeply (Luke 7:36-50). Recognizing Christ’s mercy fills us with joy.
Paradoxically, finding happiness in pleasing ourselves often leads to bondage and emptiness. But fearing God, meaning reverencing and obeying Him, gives freedom, clear conscience, security, meaning, and joy.
Happiness Is Not the Absence of Suffering
God promises His children eternal joy and pleasure in His presence one day (Psalm 16:11). But in this fallen world, we will experience sorrow and trials:
- Jesus promised trouble in this world (John 16:33). We follow a suffering Savior.
- Trials prove and refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 5:3-5). Hardships produce growth.
- God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11). His training produces righteousness.
- Light momentary affliction achieves eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Heavenly perspective brings joy amidst earthly troubles.
- We share in Christ’s sufferings (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10-11). Partnership with Jesus brings meaning to pain.
Paradoxically, hardship borne in faith often produces great joy in the Lord as we experience His sustaining grace. So godly happiness comes not by avoiding all suffering but by rejoicing in Christ through suffering.
Our Ultimate Happiness Awaits Us in Eternity with Christ
While we can have joy in this life through following Christ, God promises pleasures forevermore in Heaven (Psalm 16:11). Our fullest happiness awaits us in glory:
- We will see Christ face to face (Revelation 22:4). Unhindered fellowship with our Savior brings endless joy.
- He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). No more crying, pain, grief, or suffering.
- We will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). Our inheritance in Christ brings eternal rewards.
- We will reign with Christ forever (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 22:5). We will partner with Jesus to rule, judge, and reign.
- We will be made like Christ (1 John 3:2). Being fully conformed to His image brings unspeakable joy.
- We will rest from our labors (Revelation 14:13). The burdens of this life will be lifted forevermore.
Our joy now through following Jesus is but a foretaste of the exceeding happiness, pleasure, and glory that awaits us for eternity in Heaven with Christ our Lord! This blessed hope sustains us amidst earthly troubles.
Key Takeaways
In summary, God wants us to experience joy and contentment in Him. But this means finding our delight in Christ above all, choosing joy in all circumstances, fearing God rather than pleasing self, persevering in righteousness through trials, keeping an eternal perspective, and looking forward to unending pleasure in His presence forever. While happiness on earth is fleeting, imperfect, and mixed with sorrow, the happiness of Heaven through knowing Christ will far exceed anything we can imagine.