If you have been a part of certain Christian circles, you have likely heard it said that God’s desire for our lives is to make us holy, not happy. And Scripture readily confirms this (I Pet 1:16, 2:9; Heb 12:14; Lev 11:45) Our Heavenly Father is calling His kids to increase in godliness that their lives may more closely conform to the image of His Son (Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 3:18). God is working in and through us to produce this result, and sometimes that means walking difficult and painful paths.
While God’s focus is to make us more holy, we should recognize that increased Christlikeness will lead to happier lives as well. Of course, we will walk through difficulties and trials – God has promised His children that (John 16:33). But when we respond to those trials in a way that reflects His character, we will create happier circumstances amidst those challenging experiences. After all, when we respond with trust instead of fear, our hearts will be tranquil. When we respond with grace instead of frustration, we extend that peace to those around us. When we show love instead of spite, mercy instead of anger, forgiveness instead of holding a grudge, we are displaying the attributes of God – we are increasing in holiness – and our hearts and our countenance will be happier as well. God’s desire is for us to be holy, and increased holiness is for our good. Therefore, the more we are like God, the happier we will be – regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Our job, however, is not to seek happiness but holiness. When we run after earthly things that we think will make us happy, those become what we worship rather than the God that we are called to serve. However, when we wholeheartedly and faithfully pursue Him, He will provide all the other things we need as well (Mt. 6:33) including happiness. Our delight, our happiness, will not be in what we have or the situation we are in, but in Him alone (Ps. 37:4). And the more we are like Him, the happier our hearts will be.
