A 2021 survey of more than 20,000 people around the world asked what makes you happy? The response varied as did the happiest levels from country to country, but the findings revealed that the top reasons for being happy are physical and mental health and well-being, relationship with partner or spouse, a sense of meaning for life, children, living conditions, personal security, being in control of life, nature, meaningful work, and having more money, in that order.
This survey did not report faith in God as a source of happiness. The other eleven main responses vary in how much control anyone has over them, and the idea of having meaning in life is not defined. Reading this list gave me the sense that most of those responses would vary in consistency and frequency making happiness and elusive pursuit.
MacArthur’s thoughts for today separate happiness from joy. While the biblical words can overlap, the experience of God’s joy is not the same as happiness related to favorable circumstances. The Bible says it often: we are to “Rejoice in the Lord.”
Most people experience happiness, but it is fickle. If things are going well, we are happy, but if not, we are not happy. Christian joy is not like that, yet I wonder about its frequency. Many times, our prayer sessions are filled with requests for restored health and sometimes other things on that survey list. Rarely do I hear someone ask God to give joy even in difficulties. More often we ask that He removes our problems.
The NT says to “Rejoice in the Lord” because He is the source and object of Christian joy, a gift from the Holy Spirit that transcends circumstances with all its ups and downs. The key to experiencing this joy is obedience and being filled with the Spirit who produces it.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:10–11)
The key to being filled with the Spirit is knowing when I am not. If joy is not there, it is being blocked by something that needs to be confessed and repented of, and cleansed by grace.
We are writing these things so that your joy may be complete . . . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:4; 9)
These verses show the importance of reading ‘these things’ and of keeping short accounts with God regarding sin. Obviously, confession is vital yet never forget that obedience is preferable!
Being filled with the Spirit is essential to obedience, yet I find that it has an element of surprise — I’ve no idea what God will do with me next! In other words, life is out of my control — one of the items on that survey list that people want to make them happy is being in control.
On the other hand, Christian joy is not about circumstances. The Bible tells me that I can be joyful in trials (James 1:2-4) and that His joy proves my faith is genuine:
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (1 Peter 1:6–8)
Putting my hope in an eternal God rather than temporary sources of happiness makes sense. It seems impossible at times, but God is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24) so this joy is not a struggle to gain — God does it for me.
Lord, we are often grateful for the good stuff, but I see how I can be grateful for difficulties too, as long as I see them through Your perspective; You are using them for my good! When prayers seem unanswered or the “good” You have me experience seems pointless, You tell me to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season I will reap, if I do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) Thank You for all things and for grace to keep on, forgiveness when I stumble, and joy in the midst of all circumstances.
MORE: Acts 16:11–40 tells of struggles as Paul and Silas planted the church in Philippi. How did God use their difficulties for His glory?
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