Are you happy?

In a recent group meeting with a coworker, I was asked the question, "are you happy?" When the question was posed, it was assumed that I was not. Immediately upon hearing the question, I felt challenged, uncomfortable, and frankly considered the question rude, even offensive. I felt that I had to defend myself, proclaiming that indeed I was a happy person. Afterall, I am a Christian, have an amazing, God-fearing wife, and beautiful children. Nonetheless, the question wrestled in my thoughts and heart for quite some time; I pondered a great deal on it.

I started to think, what is “happiness”? The Oxford dictionary defines “happy” in various ways - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment; having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with a particular person, arrangement, or situation; fortunate and convenient. Now according to these definitions, yes, I would indeed say “I am very happy!” However, this question was posed with the assumption of happiness being always visible. The assumption was a person is happy when they are always smiling, laughing, enthusiastic, visibly and outwardly displaying a fun, entertaining persona. Unfortunately, what this coworker got wrong is that this idea of happiness is not the true definition. Smiling, laughing, and outward expressions of enthusiastic entertainment are fine to display, but they should be displayed being cognizant of context. These entertaining personas are not constants for anyone. There are times to laugh, times to weep, times to mourn, times to speak, and times for silence (Eccl. 3:1-8). Life can be playful, and life also calls for seriousness. The reality is that happiness is a feeling or inner display of contentment and satisfaction; it does not have to be visibly shown.

As I continued to scrutinize this subject, I affirmed even more, I am indeed very happy! Although, I prefer the word joyful as I believe it to be a more biblical term. There are three areas which I pursue in this life. They are peace, joy, and fulfillment. I believe all three are immediately possessed (and only possessed) when a person becomes “born again spiritually” through accepting the Gospel of one’s salvation (believing Jesus died for all your sins personally, and He rose again to freely give you eternal life/salvation – see 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:12-14, 1 John 5:9-13). Now that I am saved and know I possess eternal life in Christ, I have peace with God (John 14:27, Rom. 5:1). I have joy in Christ (Psa. 16:9 &11, 35:9, 1 John 1:1-4). I have fulfillment in the Lord (Psa. 37:4-5, Rom. 8:37-39, Phil. 4:13).  What also gives me pleasant feelings of these inner traits is proclaiming the Gospel saving message to others so that they can experience these everlasting conditions as well (Rom. 10:15, 1 Thess, 2:4). Salvation in Christ is true joy, not simply “temporary expressions of happiness” according to the world’s definition.

Are you happy? Do you have peace, joy, and fulfillment?

Peace, Joy, Fulfillment – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 15:13)