What Does The Bible Say About Being Happy?
The Bible talks about the concept of human joy and the importance of allowing oneself to be joyful. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, “I observed that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and enjoy themselves as long as they live; also that it is God’s gift to man that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil”. This passage highlights that God wants us to be content and to enjoy our lives, and to find satisfaction in the things we do.
Psalms 16:11 is a well-known verse about joy and delight, saying “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”. This verse indicates that seeking God and his presence can bring us joy and pleasure, as joy and pleasure are found in the presence of God.
The Bible speaks about joy in different contexts, but most especially in regard to the Church and its faithful worshippers. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus speaks of his Church with the words “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to give to everyone according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End—the First and the Last (Revelation 22:12-13)”. This verse highlights the joy that God will bring to his people as a reward for their faithfulness.
The Bible also speaks about joy in connection to the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells his disciples, “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out (Luke 8:28)”. This passage suggests that those who remain faithful to God and enter into his Kingdom will experience joy that no one else can experience.
The Bible speaks about joy in connection to our relationship with God. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice”. This verse emphasises that our joy is found in the Lord, and encourages us to trust in him and to make our joy dependent on the Lord’s presence in our lives.
Finally, the Bible speaks of joy in relation to our service to God. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. This passage highlights that rejoicing and praying with thanksgiving is the will of God, and that if we submit to God’s will, our joy will be unceasing.
Suffering and Joy in the Christian Life
The Bible teaches that sadness and suffering can play a role in our lives as Christians, but that should not cause us to lose hope or joy in our faith. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 it says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies”. This passage outlines how even when faced with afflictions, we can still maintain joy, because Jesus gives us hope and strength.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”. This passage encourages us to be joyful even when faced with suffering, as it can lead to growth and a steadfastness in our faith.
In Psalm 27:13-14, David speaks of not being afraid even in the midst of trying circumstances, saying, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”. This verse highlights the importance of trusting in God’s protection and plan, and being confident in his promises and grace.
John 15:9-11 also speaks of trust and joy in the midst of suffering, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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”. This passage encourages us to abide in Christ’s love in order to experience his joy.
The Source of Our Joy
The Bible speaks of a joy that is everlasting and that goes beyond our circumstances and the things that are temporal. Psalm 146:5-7 reads, “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever”. This passage reveals that our true source of joy is God, and that if we keep faith in him, our joy will be never ending.
Paul also speaks of an everlasting joy in Romans 15:13, when he says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”. This verse highlights the importance of relying on God for joy, and that our joy can be found through his power and presence in our lives.
Nehemiah 8:10 also speaks of a joy that comes from trusting in God’s care and faithfulness, saying “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. This verse highlights that having faith in God can help us to have joy in the midst of difficult times.
Philippians 4:4-7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. This passage emphasises the importance of seeking God’s will and trusting in him to bring us peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
Loving Others in Joy
The Bible speaks of how our joy and our relationships with others should be inextricably linked, and that our joy should be expressed in loving actions towards others. James 1:19-21 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls”. This passage reveals that part of having joy is being willing to listen to others, and that the actions of an individual who has joy should demonstrate kindness and humility.
Galatians 5:13-15 also speaks of joy and loving others, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another”. This passage calls us to use our freedom to serve one another in love, and to be patient and kind towards one another in our relationships.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 it speaks of the importance of joy and love in relationships, reading to us, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. This passage shows that a heart that rejoices with truth and loves sacrificially is a heart that will experience true joy.
John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This verse highlights the importance of loving one another, as it is a reflection of our identity as Christians.
Sharing our Joy with Others
The Bible speaks of the importance of sharing our joy with others, in order to bring glory to God and to encourage others in their faith. In Psalm 122:1-2 it says “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem”, This passage outlines the importance of praising God together as a church and reveling in the joy of God’s presence.
Philippians 1:3-5 advises, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”. This verse sets an example for us of how we should be joyful in our thoughts and prayer for other believers.
Romans 12:15-18 also speaks of rejoicing with those who rejoice, saying “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all”. This passage highlights how our joy should be shared with those around us, and how we should be living in harmony, and encouraging each other in love.
Finally, 1 Peter 1:8-9 encourages us to be joyous, saying “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, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. This passage shows us how our joy should be inexpressible as we await salvation, and as we love and trust in Jesus.
Living in Joy
The Bible speaks of living a life of joy, rather than a life of sorrow and discontentment, as joy is the heritage of those who are in Christ. Isaiah 61:3 says “To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the
