Are you feeling depleted and exhausted in life? You’re not alone. Many of us feel overwhelmed and struggle to find happiness. Sadly, many search for ways to fill the void within. We chase temporary pleasures, material possessions, and external validation, and these fall short of their ability to bring genuine, lasting fulfillment. What is the best way to be happy?
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The Bible offers guidance on how to achieve happiness from God’s perspective. In a world where happiness can seem elusive, the Bible can be an excellent starting point for those seeking long-lasting happiness.
Prioritize Choosing Joy Over Pursuing Happiness
The Bible highlights the importance of prioritizing joy over happiness because happiness depends on circumstances. While happiness can be fleeting and subject to change based on our situations, joy transcends them. Based on our circumstances, we can be happy one minute and unhappy the next. However, it is possible to experience joy regardless of our conditions. God wants us to have more than temporary happiness. He desires that we possess everlasting joy.
While happiness can be lost when circumstances change or desires remain unfulfilled, joy is not a transient emotion tied to situations. Instead, it is a deep peace and contentment that transcends life’s ups and downs. Joy gives us a sense of wholeness and completeness even amidst challenges, and it goes beyond momentary pleasure.
Acknowledge That Life Is Not Always Happy
As we go through life, we must understand that it won’t always be full of happiness. Instead, we might face tough times, disappointments, and moments of sadness. However, we should not let them rob us of our joy. Instead, we can view them as an opportunity to grow and put our faith in God’s plan.
We must trust that God is with us through every storm, and His strength will help us overcome. We should let the joy of the Lord be our foundation, reminding us that He is always with us, even in our darkest moments.
The Bible teaches us that sometimes joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5) or on the other side of trials. We can learn from Jesus, who endured the cross for us, knowing that it would bring us joy on the morning He rose from the dead. Jesus did this out of love to reconcile us with the Father. Because of His sacrifice, we can now find the joy of salvation (Isaiah 12:3).
To Be Happy, We Must Choose Joy
When it comes to happiness, nothing compares to the joy of the Lord. But what is joy, exactly? Joy is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, a divine gift that God bestows on us. It’s an internal state of being that arises from our connection to something greater than ourselves, our Maker. When we allow God to lead our steps, we experience joy no matter our circumstances.
Joy is more than just a feeling – it’s a powerful force that brings hope, strength, and perseverance. It reminds us that even when things are tough, there is always hope for the future because our hope is grounded in God, who created Heaven and Earth. Scripture tells us that the “joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Although joy is a gift, we must cultivate it by following God and His plan.
When we focus on the goodness and characteristics of God, we experience an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the blessings in our lives, both great and small—shifting our focus from what we lack to the abundance we already possess fosters contentment and joy. And when we praise and worship despite our circumstances, we remind ourselves that God controls everything.
We trust that God loves us and will supply our needs. He is our hope no matter what we face. No matter what we go through, we must always strive to hold on to the Bible’s words. Sometimes, life throws lemons at us, but God gives us joy, hope, and peace. Sometimes, things are not going well, but we must trust the God of hope to be happy.
We have to surrender everything to Him; in return, he fills us with joy and peace through the power of His Holy Spirit. He leaves us with hope when we remember that no matter what, God is good and big enough to handle everything that comes our way.
The Bible tells us that the “joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). We gain the strength to hold on when we remember who is in control. We trust that God loves us and will supply our needs. He is our hope no matter what we face. No matter what we go through, we must always strive to hold on to the Bible’s words.
I have compiled a PDF list to remind us of God’s attributes. If you struggle to find joy or if you could use a little extra happiness in your life, perhaps remembering how big and mighty our God is will help. This list enables me to remember God is God. He is not a man. He is God; I can rest easy knowing I am in his hands! Download your list here and refer to it often to build your faith in the one true God! Our God of hope promises to fill you with peace, joy, and abundant hope.
Let’s Pray A Prayer For Joy
In summary, we must aim to be more than happy but to have joy, the powerful force that arises from our relationship with God. Joy brings hope, strength, and perseverance in challenging times, fosters gratitude and contentment, and reminds us of God’s sovereignty.
