Happiness

Not long ago people commonly told pastors, “I’m not needed,” because the great fear was to be useless; today, the complaint has shifted to “I’m not happy,” while idleness itself has become a prized goal. Modern man seeks happiness while avoiding the very things that produce it work, responsibility, godliness, family, and obedience to God’s law so it is no wonder that unhappiness has multiplied. Scripture shows that makarios, the word for “blessed,” also means “happy,” revealing that true happiness is a byproduct of being rightly related to God and faithfully doing what He calls us to do. I have known people surrounded by hardship who nevertheless lived joyfully, like an elderly widow who, despite blindness, strokes, and deep disappointments, radiated gratitude and faith. She never said she was unhappy; she thanked God for what she still had. Happiness is not found by chasing it, but by walking in blessedness: “Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Ps. 144:15).