Dale Ridge church of Christ

          In Psalm 127:5, we are told that children are a reason for happiness to a man.  Children indeed bring joy and happiness into our lives, and we can see from Jesus’ example that He counted them as worthy of attention and praise (Matthew 18:2-6). 

          In Proverbs 3:13, Solomon writes that a man who finds wisdom is happy.  He further states in verse 18, “happy is everyone that retaineth her.”  Wisdom definitely is a source of happiness and understanding.

          Proverbs 16:20 tells us that one who trusts in the Lord is happy.  In James 1:2-3, we are told to count it all joy when we fall into temptation, because our faith is being tried.  In 1 Peter 3:14 and 1 Peter 4:14, we are encouraged to be happy when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and reproached for the name of Christ.  Hence, if we trust in God and endure mistreatment for His name, we can be happy in knowing that God will see us through these times of trouble.

          We need to understand that biblical happiness, unlike worldly happiness, is not based on our circumstances or what is going on in our lives.  Rather, we can be happy even in difficult times if our focus is on what it should be.  Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our affections on things above and not on things on the earth.  Hebrews 12:1-2 instructs us to keep our focus on Jesus.  If we do these things, we can be happy even in our darkest hours.  

          In conclusion, we need to consider what the Bible states should make us happy as opposed to what the world would suggest.  Let us always strive to put God’s will above that of our own and seek what He would have us to do. 

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