Be Ye Happy? by Bob Munson

I have heard so many sermons stating that happiness is not something the Christians should seek, but rather, they should seek “joy”.  “Joy” is described as feeling good based on some sort of spiritual empowerment that transcends one’s momentary circumstances. “Happiness” is looked upon as feeling good because good things are happening. But maybe both definitions are incomplete. The definition for happiness lays too much strength on the NOW… the moment. Happiness is a pointless rollercoaster ride. The definition for joy seems to be more of a Greek philosophical ideal rather than a Christian virtue. Joy is a disconnected abstract state of being. A lot of people who claim to have Christian joy seem to be pretty unhappy most of the time. 

So it was good that a group that calls itself the “Happiness Foundation” (www.happiness.org) to provide a definition of happiness that appears to bridge the gap.

Happiness: The overall appreciation of one’s life-as-a-whole. In other words, how much one likes the life one lives.

The definition looks at one’s emotional state and well-being over a broad spectrum and time of one’s life. Therefore it does not fail by focusing on the momentary successes and failures that fill any particular day. On the other hand, it still is connected to the life we live. Additionally, it is perceptual. If you feel happy, it is pointless for someone to say “Oh, but deep down you are miserable.” Perhaps deep down you ARE miserable, but happiness describes a state that is recognizable by the individual.

Looking at the definition above, it seems as if one could use this definition for  “CONTENTMENT” or “SATISFACTION” as well.  These terms might be used interchangeably. But an important question lingers:

Is it good to happy? Is it good to be content? Is it good to be satisfied?

1.  First Challenge.  Maybe happiness is self-absorbed… lacking concern for the misery around us. .

We have certainly seen people around us who live their lives looking for the next thrill, the next adrenaline rush. They live their lives in seeming disregard of the concerns of others. But momentary thrill is not happiness/contentedness. Quoting from the happy people at the Happiness Foundation again,

“Most people feel that is good to be happy but many moral philosophers have reservations. One of their qualms is that it that one can only be happy if one disregards the misery in this world, and hence that happiness depends on a distorted rosy outlook. Another misgiving is that happiness spoils and makes us lazy, uncritical and egocentric. Yet again, empirical research shows otherwise. Happy people appear to be more concerned with social problems and to be more apt to do something about that. There is also evidence that happiness activates and that it encourages social involvement.”

2. Second Challenge. Happiness is non-progressive.

Americans believe in progress. It is not surprising that Americans aren’t all that excited about Contentment. That is because many believe that change is fueled by discontent. However, discontent is not a good motivation for positive change. Discontent is more likely to lead to

-Greed                        -Covetousness            -Envy              -Spiritual compromise               -Moral Failure                        -Anger                                                -Quitting

Properly focused contentment leads to progress. Imagine you are a painter or a sculptor. You work on your piece of art until you are happy with it, satisfied, contented. Then you stop, set it aside and begin on a new one. Contentment should motivate one to be pleased enough to start anew. Discontentment/ unhappiness is more likely to cause one never complete a task, or simply give up. 

God is a good example of wise contentment, of wise happiness. In Genesis 1 we see the mind of God. A pattern forms:

                        -God spoke

                        -God created

                        -God was happy (contented/satisfied)

                        -God repeats the pattern

3.  Third Challenge. Happiness (or contentment) is not Christian.

This is a big question. Is it good to be happy? It might be enjoyable, but is it a worthy goal? This is something to be left up to each individual reader. However, here are a few verses to think about:

•        God modeled contentment/happiness        Genesis 1

•        God gives contentment/happiness as a gift      Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 5:18-6:2

•        Contentment/happiness  is considered to be a virtue             Phil 4:11-13

•        Contentment/happiness It is considered to be beneficial    I Timothy 6:6

The conclusion to this matter is in the theme of Ecclesiastes. Fear God and enjoy the life you live. Or as Paul said in I Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”