The Serenity PrayerSample

Where has happiness gone?

“… so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next …”

Is it possible to be happy? Does God want me to be happy? Does misery play a part in God's purposes for humanity? Many people believe that happiness is fleeting and that living according to God’s will is synonymous with suffering and renunciation. However, this view is far from biblical truth.

As a perfectly happy being, God shares the desire for happiness with His creation. According to Scripture, happiness is not solely centered on pleasure or fleeting joy, but it is related to contentment, which is the ability to be satisfied in any situation. In Philippians 4:12-13, the apostle Paul speaks about the “secret of being content,” whether in plenty or in want, having learned to depend on God to find true satisfaction.

Humans naturally seek happiness in various ways: through work, relationships, material possessions, immediate pleasures, and more. This pursuit is a natural characteristic of human beings. However, the happiness that many seek is based on external circumstances and does not provide lasting contentment.

True happiness, as the Bible teaches, is found in aligning human desires with God’s will. Paul exemplifies this in his own life, writing the “Letter of Joy” while he was imprisoned in Rome. He demonstrates that happiness does not depend on circumstances but rather on a state of mind that finds contentment in God, regardless of what happens around us. This type of happiness transcends moments of pleasure or pain, allowing one to live in inner peace, no matter the external situation.

Prayer: Lord, help me to find true happiness in You, learning to live content in all circumstances and trusting in Your strength for every challenge. Amen.