Happiness is a goal that basically every human wants to achieve in life. People would do anything to reach happiness; furthermore some people will even say that God’s plan for their life is for them to be happy. They try endlessly to have success, which they think will lead to their happiness. How have we come to allow ourselves to put more trust in a fleeting emotion than in a God who says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are those who mourn”? Happiness is a choice that we can make in our lives, not by pursuing happiness or success but pursuing holiness.
Happiness is not something to achieve once you arrive at a certain moment after work, but is a choice. Our world believes that happiness will come because of our success, but it is proven that this is not accurate. Shawn Achor explains in his article “Scientific Proof That Happiness Is a Choice” that happiness actually boosts our feelings of success therefore we act more successful. Although a choice happiness can be hard to choose at times, it may very well be the last thing you want. When grief strikes, or when you just can’t seem to catch a break, sometimes you just want to sulk and stay upset, perpetuate the sadness. It’s a natural response, but it isn’t a required behavior, it’s a choice. And choosing to be happy will make you a better, stronger, wiser person. My pastor summed it up like this: God gives blessings; happiness is a choice.
To be this happier person the key is pursuing holiness. In Tim Keller’s sermon “True Happiness” he talks about how happiness is usually a byproduct of seeking something greater. He expressed how you could seek only happiness and remain empty or seek holiness and receive holiness as well as happiness. Additionally happiness will not hold, so therefore should not be pursued. Jesus is the perfect example of what it looks like to sacrifice humanly happiness for God’s holiness. He taught, spent his days with, and loved his disciples who augured with him, doubted him, and one would even betray him, but he still pushed them to grow in holiness.
The cross wasn’t a happy thing either, Christ prayed that if possible that the cup would pass from him. He suffered and embraced the full wrath of God. Between happiness and holiness, Christ chose holy. Furthermore He chose to make us holy. Proverbs 21:21 states, “Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” Another example would be Matthew 5:6 that says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Thus our Christ is our example teaching us to pursue holiness and with it will come our happiness.
Happiness is idol in our world. Many will work hard to have success, but they find it will not achieve them true happiness. With Scientific facts we have proven that it is a choice to be happy. We also find that Jesus has modeled for us to pursue holiness to find our happiness. Everyone in our world wants happiness, but few come to the understanding that happiness is a choice made by pursuing holiness.
