Does God Want You to Be Happy?
Everyone wants to be happy!
Yes, everyone longs for happiness.
But maybe like me, you’ve seen quotes that say…
“God doesn’t care if you’re happy. He wants you to be holy.”
Rick Warren said something similar…
“God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.”
Although I agree that God’s primary goal for us is to know, love, and trust Him … I also believe that God would not have repeatedly told us how to be happy in the words of Scripture if He didn’t care whether or not we are happy!
So, I thought it might be a blessing for us to take a closer look at what God says in the Bible about happiness.
Does God Want Me to Be Happy?
The definition of happiness is:
- the feeling of experiencing pleasure, contentment, or joy.
And we all want that – right?!
For many, being happy seems to be their goal in life. So, they chase after experiences, relationships, and things that claim to offer happiness but fall short in the long run. They try, test, and indulge in things the world says will make them happy only to learn that their momentary rush of “bliss” has either passed or lost its luster … leaving only sadness, dissatisfaction, and consequences in its place.
The Good News is there are ways the Bible tells us we can enjoy happiness … ways that will not leave us discouraged or disappointed but that we can count on to last and satisfy.
Did you know several translations of the Bible – substitute the word happy for the word blessed?
Which makes sense because one of the definitions of blessed is … blissfully happy or content. Another definition is holy and sanctified.
I love that!
There seems to be a connection between living under the blessings of God’s will and enjoying happiness.
Which is exactly what God’s Word has been telling us all along.
We shouldn’t be surprised, however, that satan has been twisting God’s truth and tempting people to believe God is holding out on them. He started in the Garden…
“Did God really say?”
Genesis 3:1, 4–5
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
The clear message is … if you want to be “happy” don’t listen to God, listen to me.
So the enemy of our souls goes after our natural desire to be happy, a desire given to us by God, and he slyly smiles and tells us what we really want is to live without God and do what we want.
But as I look around at the world’s idea of”freedom,” I can’t help but notice how miserable the people who have bought into satan’s lies seem to be.
I want true happiness, don’t you?
I’m not as interested in a quick moment of something the world wants me to believe will make me happy … especially when I look around and see the lasting consequences of their choices.
I want happiness that is lasting, blessed, and filled with contentment.
Let’s take a couple of minutes and look at what God’s Word says will give us the kind of happiness we really want … the kind that lasts.
10 Things the Bible Says Will Make You Happy
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed are those
Romans 4:7–8
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
Proverbs 3:18
Give me understanding and I will obey Your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
Psalm 119:34–35
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
Psalm 89:15
“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
1 Peter 3:10
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Luke 11:28
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.
Luke 6:22–23a
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31–32
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22–23
I’m not sure what you think but to me … that sounds like happiness.
True happiness.
The kind of happiness that lasts.
- Trust that God is greater than my circumstances.
- Knowing my sins are forgiven.
- Wisdom to guide me and keep me safe.
- Happiness and peace that comes from obedience.
- Joy experienced through praise and worship.
- Relationships blessed by truth and kindness.
- Contentment found in spending time with the Lord.
- The promise of a beautiful forever future.
- The peace that comes in knowing God will meet every need.
- Freedom from fear.
- Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Isn’t that the kind of happiness you want?
Isn’t it the kind of happiness you need?
To answer the original question…
Does God Want Me to Be Happy?
I believe the answer is YES! God, absolutely wants us to be happy!
In fact, He wants it so very much that He sent Jesus to make it possible for us to be forgiven and to be called His children forever.
What parent doesn’t want their children to be happy?
The thing is, every good parent cares more about their children’s long term happiness. So, they counsel, guide, discipline, and instruct them, even if it doesn’t make them “happy” at the moment because they know what is best for them in the long run.
They care more about their future happiness than their momentary pleasure.
Our perfect heavenly Father cares most of all about our eternal future. So, He guides, disciplines, and instructs us with a perspective that sees our lives from beginning to eternal.
For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12
And…
For I alone am God!
Isaiah 46:9b–10a
I am God, and there is none like me.
Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
I believe if you and I want to be truly happy … we need to look to God’s will and plan for making us happy. Even in moments of grief and sadness, we can be sure of Jesus’ eternal promise…
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
John 14:1–3
The bad and even the good the world offers are temporary. But there is happiness found in Jesus … happiness we can enjoy today, tomorrow, and forever.
Happiness that God wants for us.
I think the following quote sums it up perfectly…
“If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world.” ~David Brainerd
This so blessed me today! Thank you!
Thank you so much for letting me know! Have a wonderful day, Cheri! God bless you!
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with you, Deb, that God wants us to be happy, and He knows that the only true happiness we will have in this world is in seeking and obeying Him in everything. He is our loving Father!
Blessings, and happiness, to you, my friend!
Blessings and happiness to you as well, Martha! Have a beautiful day!
Wonderful words of encouragement today, Deb!
Thank you, Melanie! You sure do bless me! Hugs!
I love what you’ve shared here, Deb. I think it’s a good reminder that God loves us and can see a bigger picture than what we see in our current circumstances.
Thanks, Dawn! I sure do appreciate your encouragement and friendship! Blessings and Hugs!
Thank you
Encouraging words of our foundation inJesus I needed this so much today. .
Thank you so much, Catherine! God bless you!
Thank you, Deb! This is so good to remember that happiness and holiness are not opposed to each other and that God desires our lasting joy.
Amen, Carlie! He wants it so much … He gives us everything to make our lasting joy possible. God bless you!
Absolutely the best blessings, isn’t it – Julie! Praise God!
Thanks for such a great reminder! Blessings.
Thank you, Suel! God bless you!
This is great and good to talk about. Yes God does want us to be happy. They say happiness is related to things that ‘happen’ and joy is like an spiritual happiness and peace from God and no matter what ‘happens’, we still maintain and hold onto the joy, happiness and love we find in him regardless of our situations xx I know Gods plan for me is good and for you too xx
Regardless of our situation – yes, I like that. It shows others the strength and peace He is able to give us. Can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus’ followers became the most winsome people on the planet! Thanks so much for visiting and for joining the discussion! God bless you!
This is such a great post Deb and one I really needed today. One of my favorite verses in scripture is when God asks Cain why his face was downcast. I even wrote and entire post on that one verse. He cares so much about us that He even notices the look on our face. Thank you so much for sharing these truths and encouragement.
Amen, Diane! That’s so true. Thanks so much for adding to the conversation! God bless you!
I have been reading through Isaiah lately and one thing I noticed was how many times God talks about joy! It made me really think about how God cares about us being happy! So thank you for this post! It came at the right time for me.
Thank you, Rachel! I think one of the reasons we are to be happy is it’s appealing … it makes people want what we have. So glad it blessed you! May the Lord bless you!
Yes! I want the happiness that lasts! Such a blessing!
Finding happiness from our identity and trust in God is the only real happiness, true happiness to be had. I wish others could grasp this! I see people chase happiness and never be satisfied and if they would only chase Jesus with as much eagerness, happiness would finally follow.
I do too, Ammie! It is one of my constant prayers … that people would find their happiness in Jesus. The only happiness that lasts! Thanks so much! God bless you!
It is really interesting that some translations substitute “blessed” for “happy”. This is so true- our happiness may not always come from our current circumstances (good or bad) but because of Christ we can have that deep contentment. I needed to read all of the scripture you included- this has encouraged me so much this morning!
Amen, Katie! That’s something I’ve learned in recent years … simply realizing that those moments when I am enjoying contentment are moments of true happiness. Thanks so much for your kind encouragement. God bless you!
Wow, this is so good! I’ve heard that quote about holiness vs. happiness and I used to agree until I thought about it more deeply. Of course God wants us to be happy. Happiness is a good thing. I actually wrote an article about a similar topic called, How to Be Happy: 7 Reasons Why You’re Secretly Unhappy With Life. https://herstyleoftea.com/how-to-be-happy-with-life/ I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks so much, Shante! I’m so very blessed by your kind encouragement. I loved your post. It points us in the right direction … ways that will give us true and lasting happiness. Thanks again and God bless you!