The True Guide to Happiness
The True Guide to Happiness
Wouldn’t it be nice to know the true guide to happiness? For the past couple of weeks, Nick and I have come to you with conversations about stress, peace, and the unnecessary things in our life that we need to eliminate.
Today, I want to talk about the lies that we, as Christians, have believed. Lies about what brings us joy and happiness.
And I want to disprove those lies by presenting what the Bible says will generate happiness and joy in our life.
Now, you may already be thinking that this is a conversation you’ve had before. But today my mom said something to my kids that stuck with me, she said,
“It’s not just about hearing the Word, it’s about doing the Word.” James 1:22
Are you believing the lie that happiness can come from anything but God? Because God is the source of joy and happiness and no matter what else we chase, we will be left empty.
Guys, I know firsthand what it feels like, and so do you, to be empty, to have that moment of breakdown, when you’re at the end of your rope, and you’re burning the candle on both ends, and you have nothing left.
We have all been there. But make sure that you are not trying to do this life on your own. Be sure you’re not plugging in to what the world is telling you will bring you energy, joy, strength, and stamina.
Because the only thing that will ever sustain you is God, and once you have felt that unexplainable peace in your life, then you will understand. So just give this a try.
What IS NOT the true guide to happiness?
Let’s think of some things that we tend to think will bring us joy.
What does the world tell us will make us happy? Here are some things that popped into my mind that I have believed in the past:
- Temporary or Quick Fixes. I sought instant gratification, but as quickly as it comes, it goes.
- Money. I needed that steadiness and stability. I didn’t just desire to have a lot, I wanted to hoard it also.
And because I was afraid of letting it go, I wasn’t giving as much as I needed to. I was caught thinking that there was never enough money to attain and that having more is what would make me happy. - Status. A lot of people think that popularity, likes, affirmations, or validations from other people will give them the pleasure of feeling joy.
But again, as quickly as that comes, it goes. And it takes a lot of energy and effort on your part for something that is not eternal. - Experiences or Traveling. I just wanted to travel. I wanted to go and experience all these things and have fun.
And memories are fantastic, but they will only matter on this earth. What will matter in eternity is pleasing the Lord. - Isolation. I know, that one is a curve-ball, but I am a natural introvert. And as such, I needed to isolate myself to protect myself.
Now, I do love people, I’m an outgoing introvert, but It took a lot of energy to even maintain short conversations with new people. Or sometimes, if I wasn’t quite sure of the relationship, I felt like I needed to be on.
So it was safer and more comfortable to be isolated rather than opening myself up to new relationships and even being a part of a community.
Those are the lies, and I’m going to disprove those to you with what the Bible tells us about joy and happiness. Together, we are searching for the true guide to happiness!
What IS the true guide to happiness?
We hear all the time that things like money, prestige, status, and traveling are going to bring us joy or make us happy.
And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that, for a second, it will. These things give you an endorphin rush, but it’s just a hit, just like an addiction.
You’re going to continue to go to that social media site or to that person who gives you that hit of dopamine. When that happens, your brain says, “this feels good and I am joyful and happy.”
But if it runs out, was it from God?
Here is what the Bible says about being happy:
“Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their face.” Psalms 34:5
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.” Psalms 16:11
The author was saying that God is going to show us the way of life, and because of that he will grant us joy.
He is going to give us this sustainable happiness in His presence forever. The verses I was studying in preparation for this blog said that we find joy in obedience.
In a lot of Psalms, David was writing that he finds such joy in obeying God’s laws and understanding His commandments.
And it just seemed strange that someone could find joy in rules. But if obedience pleases God, and pleasing God brings us joy, then does that mean that obedience brings us happiness?
Doesn’t that feel so opposite of what the world is telling us?
The world is telling us to be free, do you, do whatever floats your boat, everything is relevant, and be true to yourself. It’s all very fluid and based on the mood of the season, the newest trend or highest leader at the moment.
But what God is saying is that He is steady, and He is right here, and if we obey Him, that joy or happiness that we are seeking will never fade away.
Guys, the next verse I want to share with you is mind blowing.
This is awesome, especially if you are addicted to the dopamine, the endorphins, the kickback, the happiness, and the joy.
“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:10-11
The Bible is telling us, right here, that when we surrender and when we submit, it pleases God.
And when we please God, we will have this unexplainable peace in our lives.
Let’s talk about the flip-side of happiness. I want to disprove the lie that happiness is all about self.
The world tells us that it’s about us, what we can attain, how hard we can work, what we can do to validate ourselves, or what we can do to have others validate us and affirm who we are.
The world pushes this mentality of “ I am Jane, hear me roar.” We are told to be powerful, do everything on our own, and never let anyone push us down. Supposedly, that will bring us that strength and happiness and joy.
Now, I’m talking to Christians here, because if you aren’t a Christian then all of this will be in one ear and out the other.
You won’t get it because you don’t know that Jesus is real. But if you are a believer, and you know that Jesus is real, and you have the Spirit living inside you; then you can understand that the Bible teaches us that joy is found when you focus outward, not inward.
God is telling us that when we focus outward and choose to obey, surrender to, and pursue Him and what He is teaching us, even in our imperfection, there will be unexplainable peace that will come into our lives.
And the happiness that we have been chasing becomes possible. The weight that we want to take off our shoulders is attainable.
Because God already has a plan for our lives and He already has a way for us to walk. So y’all, just let it go.
Happiness does not and will not come from yourself. It cannot be an internal goal or ambition. God says your happiness will come from pleasing Him and you’ll please Him when you obey Him.
So is God asking you to do something right now that you are pushing back on because you think that it is going to rock your boat?
Do you think that obeying God is going to be too hard, too strenuous, or you’re going to have to sacrifice too much and it will steal your joy?
Or maybe you’re thinking that you like to do a lot of fun things that God doesn’t want you to do.
Well, evaluate, and ask yourself if you are believing the lie that you can chase after temporary highs and find happiness.
Or are you going to understand that the eternal joy that you can have is much better and much more rewarding?
It’s up to you.
