The Pew Research poll at http://pewresearch.org/assets/social/pdf/AreWeHappyYet.pdf tells us that 84% of people in Ameri
ca are either pretty happy or very happy. But my experience leads me to a different conclusion. True happiness seems to be elusive to most people. I don't know how else to justify that the divorce rate is close to 50%, the record high levels of debt and that 80% claim that they are performing daily work that is ill-suited for their God-given strengths.What is true happiness? How can I be happy? I believe that true happiness must be defined by three traits:
- Contentment- true happiness cannot be circumstantial. Economic circumstances change, people will disappoint and die on us, our health is fragile. True happiness must be outside all of these things. The apostle Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12.
- Peace- the truly happy person will be at peace with the past, present and future. They may regret many things, but they will press forward with a peaceful heart. "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14.
- Hope- happy people must live independent from this world. They must have their hope set on Heaven. The person who places their hopes in sex, family, sports, leisure, retirement, money, work, vacations, etc... is building on a foundation of sand. All of these things have their fulfillment only in the perfection of the everlasting life. Paul again, "Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there- the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21.
I agree with JC Ryle's conclusions on how a true Christian can be truly happy. He offers three suggestions:
- Work every year to grow in grace. The holiest people are always the happiest. Beware of standing still. Let your aim be to be more holy every year- to know more, to feel more, to see more of the fulness of Christ. Search the Scriptures more earnestly; pray more fervently; hate sin more; become more humble; die to self more; seek more direct personal communication with God.
- Work every year to be more thankful. Learn to have a deeper sense of your own wretched sinfulness and be more grateful to God you are what you are. Put to practice Philippians 2:14 which says to do all things without grumbling and complaining.
- Work every year to do more good. Jonathan Edwards said that the goal of his life was to do the maximum amount of good to the maximum amount of people. This should be the goal of every Christian. Psalms 119:68 tells us that God is not only good but He does good. We should seek to imitate Him in every way.
I have some things off the top of my head that I am happy about today:
- Air conditioning- it is 107 degrees in Dallas. I am also thankful for a small house that allows me to pay my utility bills without too much pain.
- Gary Joe Kinne Jr. committing to play football for Baylor. It is has been a long time since a QB this talented has committed to the Bears out of high school- chose Baylor over Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
- Great clients- God has blessed me with some tremendous people to serve.
- A loyal and beautiful wife. A son who brings laughter and joy to every day.
- Contentment, peace and hope. I don't want to imagine my life without Christ. I long for a resurrected body in a resurrected earth serving a righteous King.
Jesus explained the way of happiness to us in Matthew 5:3-12. One of the things that I learned by taking Greek is that although these verses start with the word "Blessed," a better understanding in our day is probably "Happy". We long for happiness. Our deepest need is to be content, peaceful and hopeful. None of this can be accomplished apart from Christ.
For His Glory,
Ashley Hodge
4 comments:
Michael,
I appreciate the kind words. I enjoy your perspectives.
God Bless,
Ashley
Ashley,
I appreciated your thoughts. It is interesting to me that when Jesus told these people that they could/would be "happy" the time frame may or may not have been this life.
The meek have not inherited the earth, but they can anticipate that time and experience some happiness.
Don't you think we try to force happiness into our life because we seem to be expected to be happy as Christians?
Yet, God, while we hope is glad we are happy, seems to be more concerned with our devotion and service as a source for whatever happiness we may experience in this brief time on earth.
Let me know what you think.
Randy
Randy,
Thanks for your comments. I agree with what you are saying. Happiness can only truly be achieved when the heart is fixated on Heaven. This life has too many trials for it to be otherwise.
That is why I never equate happiness with laughter or smiling. As Proverbs 14:13 tells us that even in laughter the heart may ache. In college, there was a guy on my freshman hall that smiled more than anyone I knew. He ended up committing suicide that year. I will never forget that.
It seems that in many churches there is too much emphasis on producing outward joy versus inward joy. I think that is what you are getting at.
Blessings,
Ashley
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