The Link Between Faith & Happiness
January 17, 1999
Dear Friends,
It is probably a safe assumption to say that most people want to be happy. Of course, for some people, happiness is knowing where their next meal is coming from while for others it is much more involved. The truth is that for most people, happiness is fleeting and involves something not yet attained. For a while, the hungry people are happy and content with finally attaining food. But slowly but surely, they will want something more. They will want to improve the quality of their food.
Aren't most people like this to some degree? Isn't it amazing what we consider essential? When we are happy that we have enough clothing, our desire then moves to fashion. When we are happy we have enough food, our desire moves to the quality of the taste, then on to the presentation of the food, etc.. When we are happy that we have shelter, our desire moves to the right house, in the right neighborhood with the right car in the driveway. All of this “vanity” in the name of happiness.
The Bible presents a completely different view of happiness. It is a joy firmly centered in the here and now, but with a strong view to the future. It is completely at odds with the world's conception of happiness. It has no basis on what we own or what we have achieved in the worldly sense. The essential element to a Biblically-based happiness is faith.
In the book of Habakkuk, the prophet deals with questions that continue to haunt mankind. Why does God allow the righteous to suffer? Why do the evil prosper? What is the benefit of living a Godly life? And really, although not stated as such, it asks the question, “How do we become happy?”
The response by God to these questions are amazingly simple and straightforward. Believe in God. Believe God knows what he is doing in the world and with mankind. Believe that there is a long-term reward for the righteous. If you can do these things, Habakkuk tells us, you will be happy.
'Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Hab. 3:17-18 NIV)
In short, then, the Bible teaches that there is a direct link between faith and happiness; increase your faith and you will increase your happiness.
As we come to this realization, other Bible passages begin to make sense such as Acts 5:40,41, “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
Have a great week!
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