The Path to Happiness
Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
Solomon encourages us to enjoy life while we are living (especially in our youth), because the darkness of death is coming. Earlier, Solomon tells us that enjoying life includes eating and drinking (see Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13; 8:15; 9:7), wearing nice clothes and pleasant lotions (see 9:8), enjoying marital bliss (see 9:9), and finding satisfaction in our work (see 2:24; 3:22; 5:18). We should do what our hearts desire, but first we must delight ourselves in the Lord so that our desires are in line with the joy of the Lord.
Wanting what we have is the key to happiness. Think about it. All commercialization is based on the premise that we would be happy if we only had what they are selling. Never has there been a time in human history when so many people have had so many material possessions and entertainment options and yet so many are unhappy. God’s concept of happiness is summed up in the simple little proverb, “Happy are those who want what they have!” Then we will be happy all our lives. The problem is that we focus on what we don’t have instead of on what we do have. Sad are those who want their own way and are driven by the belief they will be happy if they get it. Those who bear the brunt of their efforts will wonder, Are you happy now?
Consider what we deserve. If God gave us what we deserved, we would all suffer eternal damnation in hell. Now consider what we have. We have eternal life in Christ Jesus. We have the forgiveness of sins. We have the internal presence of the Holy Spirit, who leads us and enables us to live liberated lives in Christ. We have new life and a rich inheritance in Him. We have a God who will meet all our needs and will never leave us or forsake us. The Church used to sing, “Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your little blessings and see what God has done.”
Happiness can be so fleeting, because it is dependent on the circumstances of life. But we can always be joyful in our spirit when we know that the joy of the Lord is our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10). Personal happiness is the wrong goal. The goal is to know God, become the person He has created us to be, and let Him have His way. That leads only to godliness and contentment. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
God is joyful, and joy is a fruit of the Spirit. The joy that comes from knowing God is the result of your being at one with Him. Only in Christ can you say, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
a few questions to ponder:
Are people happy when they get all the products and services they want? Why or why not? How long will they be happy?
Why aren’t people who always get their own way always happy? How happy are those who have to live with such people?
Is happiness a product of the environment? Can we make others happy? How?
Do you consider yourself a truly happy person? Why or why not?
How can you make the joy of the Lord your strength?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.