There are many articles online about how to be happier and it seems that more are being poured on to the Internet all the time – especially as the New Year approaches. Some of these articles are from the psychological realm, and others claim to be scientific, or even experiential. Most people want to be happy – and they should. It is natural. Unfortunately, many are going about it in the wrong way and are looking in the wrong places.
While there is no doubt that many of the suggestions will help people to be happier, there is a dimension that nearly all of them are missing – the spiritual dimension. The spiritual aspect of happiness is the most important – if those tips are to be based on the Bible. After all, the Bible is God’s blueprint for life and happiness, as well as for forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
There are several reasons why people remain unhappy. Here are four of them:
- They carry guilt for past wrongs.
- They do not know the Source of life and happiness.
- They do not understand the Bible’s principles for happiness.
- They believe happiness is the goal – and not a by-product of right living.
True happiness – which the Bible refers to as joy – is not obtained from things. Most people know that the happiness that comes from new things at Christmas quickly wears off. Then, they have to look for some new toy or gadget to try and get that same level of happiness back. Even love from a relationship cannot fully satisfy – because God never intended for people to obtain complete and lasting satisfaction from anything or anyone apart from Him.
There is a common misunderstood difference between happiness and Biblical joy. As has already been mentioned, happiness usually comes from external things, people, or circumstances. Biblical joy, however, comes from God and being right with Him. The joy that comes from Him can endure even in the worst of circumstances and keep that believer in peace – and happy – while they trust God and serve Him.
The Bible reveals that believers should not expect to be joyous all the time. There will be seasons of trials and testing. These help to mature the believer, but David reminds us in Psalm 30:5: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
For people that want to know how to find happiness, you need to get saved first. God will forgive you of all of your sins and take away the guilt, too! Follow this link to learn more about Bible salvation.
Believers without joy also need to come before God and be cleansed of their sin. Confess the sin, surrender to the will of God afresh, and pray like David in Psalm 51:12: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Then, believer, remember that joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). As long as you seek first His Kingdom and do His will (Mt. 6:33) and not grieve the Holy Spirit, you can continue to walk in His joy – and power. Remember, too, that “the joy of the LORD is your strength“ (Neh. 8:10).
More on the topic of how to live a happy life tomorrow!