Many people have justified their life choices by using the rationale, "God wants me to be happy." But does He?
In a word, yes. As long as our happiness is not a result of sinful behaviors that we know from His Word would not make Him happy.
Contrary to the concept many have of God, He is not a dour, fun-deprived deity who is incapable of a good belly laugh. God created grins and giggles. He designed smiles and snickers--of both the chortle and the chocolate variety.
A sense of humor is one of God's most glittering gifts. I'd love to give one to those who have clearly been deprived, but I've learned the hard way that if people aren't factory-equipped there is little I can do about it.
God is a Father who delights in His children. He enjoys seeing us smile. It warms His heart when His kids relish the life He's given us.
It was King Solomon (and not the Byrds) who wrote,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (Ecclesiastes 3:1-5, NIV).
Solomon's little song was concluded with the words, there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live (v. 12).
So, yes, God desires us to be happy. But it is even more meaningful to Him that we be joyful.
Happiness and joy are often used interchangeably. But there is a big difference. Joy--God's preferred emotion--goes much deeper.
It is joy that keeps us cheerful in those trying times of uprooting and tearing down. It is joy that lifts our spirits when we find ourselves in those difficult times of weeping and mourning. It is joy that enables us to smile, even in times of death.
Because God is very fond of us He wants us to be happy. Because He wants the very best for us He wants us to be joyful.
In a word, yes. As long as our happiness is not a result of sinful behaviors that we know from His Word would not make Him happy.
Contrary to the concept many have of God, He is not a dour, fun-deprived deity who is incapable of a good belly laugh. God created grins and giggles. He designed smiles and snickers--of both the chortle and the chocolate variety.
A sense of humor is one of God's most glittering gifts. I'd love to give one to those who have clearly been deprived, but I've learned the hard way that if people aren't factory-equipped there is little I can do about it.
God is a Father who delights in His children. He enjoys seeing us smile. It warms His heart when His kids relish the life He's given us.
It was King Solomon (and not the Byrds) who wrote,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (Ecclesiastes 3:1-5, NIV).
Solomon's little song was concluded with the words, there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live (v. 12).
So, yes, God desires us to be happy. But it is even more meaningful to Him that we be joyful.
Happiness and joy are often used interchangeably. But there is a big difference. Joy--God's preferred emotion--goes much deeper.
- Happiness is a feeling. Joy is an attitude.
- Happiness leaves when adversity comes. Joy remains in good times and bad.
- Happiness is based on our circumstances. Joy is based on God's promises.
- Happiness is a result of things going right. Joy is a result of being right with God.
It is joy that keeps us cheerful in those trying times of uprooting and tearing down. It is joy that lifts our spirits when we find ourselves in those difficult times of weeping and mourning. It is joy that enables us to smile, even in times of death.
Because God is very fond of us He wants us to be happy. Because He wants the very best for us He wants us to be joyful.
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