Question 1

Does God promise me happiness?

Accepted Answer

Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.Philippians 4:4, 12Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! . . . I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.James 1:2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.God does not promise lives filled with positive circumstances and feelings; in fact, the Bible assumes problems will come our way. But God loves us, wants to know us, promises to comfort and care for us, and has guaranteed our eternal future if we trust him. Through all this, he promises us lasting joy. This kind of joy stays with us despite our problems and helps us persevere.

Question 2

How can I bring happiness to others?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 9:9Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.Romans 12:10, 15Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. . . . Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.Treating others with God’s love will bring them happiness. Just as God is the wellspring of true happiness, so we are his conduits of that happiness to others.2 Corinthians 7:13We have been greatly encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease.Exercising hospitality toward others will help them relax and enjoy their times with us.

Question 3

Where can I find real and lasting happiness?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 146:5Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.The Lord himself is the source of true happiness. The more we love him, know him, walk with him, and become like him, the greater our happiness will be.Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.To find real and lasting happiness, we should keep our eyes on Jesus, who has shown us exactly how and where to find lasting joy.Psalm 112:1How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.Ironically, the more we fear the Lord, the happier we will be. The Bible teaches that to fear the Lord (to respect him and listen to him) is also the way to wisdom. Wisdom helps us make good choices that lead to happiness and help us avoid harmful choices that lead to misery.Psalm 16:8-9I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.Our happiness is based on God’s presence within us, which can bring greater contentment and confidence in the face of hardship than any other factor in our lives.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Joy is one of the special by-products of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.Psalm 119:2Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.Jeremiah 29:13-14“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.Philippians 1:25I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.God has promised that when we truly seek him, we will surely find him. And when we do what God calls us to do, we will have found the greatest source of happiness.Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”Colossians 3:17Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.A job well done brings a deep sense of satisfaction and is an occasion for joy. When our work is for the Lord, that joy becomes even deeper and richer.Isaiah 52:7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!1 Corinthians 15:1Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.The Good News of the Bible is the joy and happiness we will find when we develop a relationship with God. And there is an added measure of happiness when we share this Good News with others.Proverbs 13:9The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.Matthew 5:16“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”All good comes from God, and God is light. When we live a godly life, we are a lamp for those who seek God. But when we live an ungodly life, our lamp goes out. The light of godliness brings true happiness.

Question 4

How can I be happy when faced with difficult circumstances?

Accepted Answer

2 Corinthians 12:9-10Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.God uses adversity to grow us in faith, perseverance, and spiritual maturity. We can always rejoice in what we will gain through our struggles.James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.1 Peter 4:12-13Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.God promises a greater reward for those who endure difficult circumstances because of their faith. Temporary suffering will be replaced by a greater joy that lasts forever. Anticipating these rewards makes us happier even in the midst of adversity.Romans 5:2Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.Hope in God’s promises of eternal life can make us happy because we know that what we are presently going through will one day end.Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.When we live in such a way that even our suffering brings honor to Jesus, he has a special place of honor for us that will bring us a deep sense of joy.Daniel 12:3“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”Matthew 5:16“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”We can be happy because we know this world is not all there is. We know something better is coming. We should practice letting God’s light shine through us. Then, others will see that no matter what’s happening in the world around us, we are happy in the knowledge of a future in heaven.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”True happiness comes from the confident assurance that what is really valuable is waiting for us in heaven. We can hoard material possessions here on earth and have little waiting for us in heaven, or we can send our wealth on ahead for eternal enjoyment by obeying and serving God right now.

Question 5

Can I be happy when I have nothing materially?

Accepted Answer

Habakkuk 3:17-18Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!Yes—here Habakkuk describes an utter stripping of material prosperity and then concludes that still he will find joy in the Lord.Proverbs 13:7Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.Material riches can bring spiritual poverty. Material poverty can bring spiritual riches. We can have both types of riches, but we should watch out if we are materially “blessed,” lest our blessing become a curse.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”True happiness comes from the confident assurance that everything truly valuable is waiting for us in heaven. We can hoard material possessions here on earth and have little waiting for us in heaven, or we can send our wealth on ahead as eternal treasure by obeying and serving God and others right now.

Question 6

What is the source of true happiness?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 37:4Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.Psalm 40:16May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”Psalm 68:3Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.Psalm 86:4Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.Psalm 146:5Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.The Lord himself is the wellspring of true happiness. The more we love him, know him, walk with him, and become like him, the greater our happiness. If we seek to find our joy in the Lord, he will certainly satisfy that desire.

Question 7

How can I make God happy?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 30:10“The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.”Proverbs 11:1The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.Proverbs 11:20The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.Proverbs 15:8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.Proverbs 15:26The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.Can finite, sinful human beings truly bring joy and delight to the Lord, the Creator of the universe? God says yes. He created us because he wants to have a relationship with us, to delight in being with us. But we must also want a relationship with him. A good relationship goes both ways and is built on principles that are simple to understand but difficult to practice: trust, regular communication, humility to admit our mistakes, and loving and serving others.

Question 8

How does God express his happiness with me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 18:19He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.Psalm 149:4The Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.Zephaniah 3:17“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”The Lord delights in saving us from our sins, guiding us in his ways, and taking care of us each day.

Happiness