Are You Happy?

Good morning, everyone! Alright, let's start with a simple question: Are you happy? Now, I’m not asking about your happiness because you just finished a whole tub of ice cream or you scored that killer parking spot at the grocery store. No, I’m talking about real, deep-down, soul-level happiness. The kind that sticks around when the ice cream’s gone and the parking spot’s a distant memory.

Because let’s be honest – sometimes happiness can feel like a bit of a moving target, right? One minute you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re stuck in traffic with a flat tire, wondering why everything’s falling apart. It's easy to think happiness comes from stuff or circumstances. But the truth is, happiness is more than just what happens to us – it’s a choice. Yes, I said it – happiness is a choice.

Now, I know what you're probably thinking. "Wait, are you saying I can just choose to be happy and all my problems will magically go away?" Well, no. If that were true, I would have chosen to be rich and famous by now. But here’s the kicker – true happiness comes from something deeper than circumstances, and God is the only real source of that kind of joy.

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” Hold up, Paul. Did you just say you’ve learned the secret of happiness, and it’s not based on whether or not your Wi-Fi is working or how full your bank account is? Yes, Paul did, and let me tell you, his secret was simple – it’s Jesus. Paul wasn’t happy because of his circumstances. He was content and joyful because he had Jesus in the middle of those circumstances.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take a moment to define happiness. The world tells us happiness comes from getting what we want – a better job, more money, a vacation to somewhere tropical, or that perfect selfie. But that kind of happiness is temporary. It's like chasing after the wind. One minute you’ve got it, and the next it slips right through your fingers. Sound familiar? So, what’s the real deal with happiness according to the Bible?

Let’s start with Psalm 37:4. It says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” You know what that verse doesn’t say? It doesn’t say, “Delight yourself in your bank account or your Instagram followers, and you’ll be happy.” It says, "Delight yourself in the Lord." That’s the key. When we make God our source of happiness, when we find joy in Him, that’s when we experience real happiness – the kind that doesn’t depend on how things are going or what’s in our bank account.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If happiness comes from God, why does it feel so hard sometimes? Why do we still have days when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and we just can’t seem to find joy? Well, here's the deal – happiness in God doesn’t mean we never face hardship. It doesn’t mean we’re immune to difficult situations, or that we’ll never have a bad day. Spoiler alert: Jesus promised us that in this world we will have trouble. But here’s the thing – even in the midst of trouble, we can still choose joy because our happiness is rooted in something far more stable than anything this world can offer.

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus wasn’t saying that we won’t face challenges. He was saying, “Hey, I’m here, and I’ve got this.” If our happiness is tied to our circumstances, it’s going to be like riding a rollercoaster – up and down, over and over. But when our happiness is tied to Jesus, we’ve got an anchor. That doesn’t mean life’s always going to be easy – it just means that we’ve got a source of joy that goes beyond the highs and lows of everyday life.

Here’s another cool thing about happiness. In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

Wait, what? You lose your life to find it? That sounds a bit backward, doesn’t it? But here’s the truth – real happiness comes through sacrifice. I know, it sounds like a bad sales pitch, but stick with me. When we lay down our selfish desires and put others first, when we live for God and not ourselves, that’s when we discover true joy. Happiness doesn’t come from being selfish and seeking our own comfort – it comes from serving God and others.

And here’s the cherry on top: God’s happiness for us isn’t a “one and done” thing. It’s not a quick fix. No, God is all about the long game. In Romans 15:13, Paul prays that “the God of hope may fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” That’s the real deal. When we trust God, we experience joy, peace, and hope that overflow – and that kind of happiness doesn’t come and go. It stays.

So, here’s the big question for today: Are you choosing happiness? Are you choosing joy that comes from God, or are you letting your circumstances dictate how you feel?

Happiness isn’t something that happens to you – it’s something you can choose. It’s not about chasing the next thing; it’s about choosing to find joy in the things that really matter: loving God, serving others, and living for the Kingdom.

If you’re struggling with happiness today, take a moment and ask yourself: Where are you looking for joy? Are you looking in the right place? Or are you chasing after things that can never satisfy? True happiness comes from God, and it’s available to you right now, no matter what your situation is.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being the source of our true happiness. We confess that we often chase after the temporary things of this world, thinking they’ll bring us joy. Help us to remember that true happiness is found in You – in loving You and serving others. Give us the strength to choose joy every day, even when life gets hard. Help us to find contentment in every season, knowing that You are with us and that You have overcome the world.

We pray that Your joy would fill our hearts and overflow to those around us. Teach us how to live for You and to sacrifice for others, knowing that in giving, we truly receive.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!