Three Keys to True Happiness
God created you to be happy, commands that you be happy, and stands ready to fill you with deep, abiding happiness. Yet happiness is not an automatic reality, even for believers. God’s path to happiness requires that we walk it out. Thankfully, the Bible teaches us how to do that, aided by God’s grace and power. Here are three places to start—habits that turn the world’s self-help advice on its head.
1. SAY YES TO GOD: LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS AND ACT ON IT
Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.
(Psalm 112:1, NLT)
For a while, I sought happiness by saying yes to anything and everything that came my way, even those things that took me outside of my comfort zone. But we’ll find a deeper happiness in seeking out what God says in his word and putting it into practice. The Christian life is not one of passive retreat but of intentional action, as we set out to follow Jesus and serve those around us—not to earn good things but as an overflow of the grace he’s already shown us. This may well take us outside of our comfort zone. It may even feel painful at times. But this verse and others promise that obedience leads to joy. Jesus came to give us life to the full (John 10:10)—not merely a full schedule.
2. PRACTICE GOD-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: ACKNOWLEDGE, CELEBRATE, AND HONOR GOD IN ALL YOU DO
Then they worshiped [Jesus] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (Luke 24:52)
I realize now that my daily positive affirmations were pointing in the wrong direction. We’ll find the greatest joy and freedom when we take our eyes off ourselves and set them on the one who is worthy of our worship: the Lord God. It’s what our human hearts have been designed to do, right from the start. I can think of no better way to start the day than by telling God how awesome he is—not because he needs it but because we do. And gathering with other believers each Sunday to praise God together feeds our joy too.
And the affirmations run two ways: when we open his word, we hear God tell us how precious we are to him, despite our sin and weakness. That remains true—whether we believe it or not—and is enough to sustain us on any subway commute.
3. BE MINDFUL OF THE GIVER: REMAIN CONNECTED AND IN COMMUNION WITH GOD
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)
Mindfulness taught me to enjoy the things in front of me, instead of always passing by in a rush—and for that, I’m grateful. But there’s another important step. We’ll find joy as we intentionally receive the things in front of us as gifts from God’s hand—as we slow down enough to see his kindness behind the things that we enjoy.
Today, slow down to savor one good thing: a taste, a sound, a sight, or a smell. Enjoy it for what it is. And then turn your mind to God, who created it. Let that thing remind you of his character and his love. Receive it as a good gift from him and say thank you!
A Happy State Of Mind: Contentment
God has designed our hearts to experience joy and gladness—and that is possible even as we go through difficult times. The New Testament author Paul speaks to this reality as he writes that he is “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Another translation says, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy” (NLT).
Paul knew suffering well, having been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and more, all in the course of telling people about Christ. At the same time, Paul felt joy because he recognized his own suffering was momentary, and he chose to view his life from a spiritual perspective. He delighted in Jesus more than anything else. He was satisfied with his life situation, accepting the will of God and trusting in Christ. Simply put, Paul was content.
Contentment is having peace on a sunny day and in the midst of your biggest, most difficult storm. Here’s how Paul puts it:
For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:11-13, NLT)
Here’s what I find encouraging: Paul learned to be content. That means he didn’t start out that way. His contentment grew over time as he walked with Jesus daily, receiving his joy and his strength. This growth is possible for you and me as well. The Bible is clear about where contentment, joy, and happiness lie: in Jesus. You don’t have to search for happiness. You will find it when you seek God and obey him in faith. You don’t have to maintain your happiness. God will sustain it as you continue to trust, obey, and seek him. You don’t have to go looking for happiness because it is an inside job. Inside of every believer lives the delightful, cheerful, and joyful Spirit of God. If you’re trusting in him, then he is working to grow your joy today.