Personal Happiness and the Bible - A Good Start

Before I became a Christian, my refuge was song writing. As my personal circumstances became more intense, my "Songs Notebook" still had lyrics and ideas, but it became more like ... a diary. It was active into my early Christian months. Years later, leafing through it, I found references to a feeling that plagued me as I awoke to my pre-Christian day. It was a feeling of dread - a deep dread. It was a mixture of frustration, purposelessness, fear and hopelessness. It was sickening. I called it, "that rock gut feeling."

Recently, a reader asked me to consider writing an article, "Personal Happiness and the Bible." That caused great pause and reflection. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines happiness as: "1. favored by circumstances: lucky: fortunate 2. having, showing or causing a feeling of pleasure, joy, etc." While such definitions may capture the meaning of happiness, the elements giving rise to such a state are what really matter - and the point of the forthcoming material. Some of the perspective I will bring may sound a bit cliche, but some of my supportive thoughts may surprise you. So, here goes.

The Bible

Now how cliche is that? But, after 30 plus years, I have never opened the Bible, and then closed it saying, "Gosh, I just wasted my time. I wish I would have done something else." It gives rise to "joy inexpressible" (1Pet 1:8), and regularly reveals how "fortunate" I now am in Jesus Christ, how "favored," and how this Book is itself fortune unmatched. He declares, "every word of God is tested" (Pr 30:5). Part of what that means is that the rigors, traumas and complaints of life can be thrust up against it ... and it stands - as guide, instructor, and final authority. It does not shrink, wither or retreat from any challenge, or challenger, of this age. "State your cause, that you may be proved right" (Isa 43:26). I have never found any subject to be off limits, so when needed, or desired, I state my cause - as I see it - before Him. The result? Well, you already know what I am going to say. It is obvious I have concluded that the Bible is a document of ...

Superior Thoughts

Recently, an article directory turned down one of my submitted articles because it "did not contain enough original content." As I inquired about this, I discovered the problem. I had quoted too much Bible. This made me very happy. The reason? Without even consciously realizing it, such a "problem" demonstrates I have internally concluded that the thoughts in the Bible are superior to my own.

Of course, others, who have closely examined the Bible’s assertions, have concluded otherwise. I often site Thomas Paine’s works, "Age of Reason: 1" and "Age of Reason: 2" as examples. He understood the Bible’s position on many subjects better than many occupants of the pulpit. Yet he, and many like him, have determined their thoughts are superior to the Bible. I do not consider myself more contemplative or intellectual than many of these individuals. Nor do I believe I am innately morally superior. In fact, I have often found much honesty in their reasons for rejecting Bible thoughts. The difference between us ... is that the Bible’s Author decided to enter my realm, and open my mind "to understand the scriptures" (Lk 24:45). And though such adversaries are in a very dangerous posture with the Bible’s Author, it is quite possible they were (will be) similarly graced sometime before their exit. I know He is willing, and even delights - in surprising people. That’s not to say I would be thus inclined. For example, I would have never ... healed Malchus’ ear (Jn 18:1-11 and Lk 22:51). I still wouldn’t. I am glad God is not like me. You see, His thoughts inform His actions - and reactions - and all are superior ... to mine.

God’s descent to my level is an undeserved act that has made the Bible a vehicle granting access into the internals of our Creator. His challenging, superlative material is the bedrock for my personal happiness. It not only addresses the specifics of my current situations, but also raises my mind and heart above this reality. Now, a few specifics.

No Competition

... with others. "For we are not bold to class ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding" (2Cor 10:12). From God’s viewpoint, for His children to be in competition with others ... is too small a goal. His challenge is far greater. Our competition is to live up to His expectations for our own self. He alone determines those expectations for each individual. There is no intersection with anyone else’s challenge.

This is astoundingly liberating. The attainment of personal happiness is thus placed in the one solitary place in the universe I can regularly affect ... my own hands. God will measure me by my use (or neglect) of personal talents, performance in granted opportunities, and actions/reactions in the situations of my unique life experience. While I am often quite unhappy with my performance, that does not finally sully the personal happiness derived from such a life framework. It just means I must repent, get back up ... and step up.

But this understanding also profoundly affects other matters. For example, I can now rejoice in the success of others - and promote their work - even if laboring in the same field! Each Christian has been "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that (he/she) should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). It is impossible that another can infringe on this act of God - thus making one’s own life, opportunities, or influence smaller. Each Christian can give 100% effort 100% of the time - and never threaten another’s turf ... or be threatened by the100% effort of another. Envy and jealousy are needless wastes. How can such an understanding ... not create personal happiness? Additionally, this verse in Ephesians makes it clear ...

God has a Plan

... for my life. Now that really does sound cliche. But, one element of my "rock gut feeling" was a vast purposelessness. I summed it up this way. "So what if I commit to some profession? If I’m lucky it will last ... maybe 50 years tops? Then what? What’s the !*^%* point?" To limit Ephesians 2:10 (last paragraph) to this life span ... is a gross misunderstanding of what the Father has granted in Christ. Jesus asked Martha upon her brother’s death, "(E)veryone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She responded affirmatively (Jn 11:26, 27).

Christians are destined for eternal activities and assignments in "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2Pet 3:13). In the parable of the minas (money), faithful slaves were given authority over "cities" (Lk 19:11-27). While God describes many general elements of the coming environment, He also informs the Christian, "(t)hings which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him" (1Cor 2:9). Over the decades, I have envisioned many phenomenal potentials for this coming destination. I have even made some very specific personal requests. But, I know that whatever I dream up will fall short of the reality. When I add the contemplations of other saints to mine over the millennia - all of which will be dwarfed - it is clear there is no way to grasp how utterly astounding the coming state will be. The specifics of that place "has not entered the heart of man" - any man. How can such a realization fail to create in me ... happiness ... and a longing to bring others in?

I remember reading of a Christian convert, in a cross cultural context, who was initially drawn to the Bible’s message upon learning that God had a plan for his life - now. This became a major factor in his conversion. Months later, he learned ... he was destined for heaven. He had no idea God had designs upon him past this life. Joy inexpressible became joy incalculable.

No Secular Work

On the heels of the revelations above ... is this one. The Bible tells us we are to do everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col 3:17) - and working with our "own hands" (manual labor) is designated by God Himself as "the good thing" (Eph 4:28). Even slaves in their labors were admonished to do their work "heartily" (literally, "from the soul"), knowing "(i)t is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Col 3:23-25). There is no such thing as "secular work" for a Christian. Everything is ministry. We will account for every detail of our Christian experience (at the Believers Judgment) and either receive reward or rebuke. Relegating the royal priesthood to thinking they are secularly employed, and laymen, are "doctrines of demons" - most likely authored by Satan himself (1Ti 4:1). Satan longs (and works) to strip us of our Savior’s blood-bought gifts.

The Christian is in a perpetual state of serving Jesus Christ from the moment of conversion into eternity. Work, performed in His Name, is forever elevated to ministry by our Employer. Blue Mondays are forever gone. Christians report to their workplace as employees of the King of all the kings. What was burden ... is now eternal opportunity. Our earthly employer is simply a beneficiary of this higher motivation now animating us. Happy ... is this the right word? Such a sea change is much deeper and broader. And, in the right circumstances, I have shared this motivation with various employers in the past. Responses have been ... interesting.

Thorns

One reason for thorns in this life ... is to wean me from it. They are tools in God’s hands. While they may be physically, emotionally or vocationally "destructive," God still uses these matters for higher ends. "And we know that God causes all things to work together toward good to those who continue loving God ..." (Ro 8:28). Additionally, while I desire well-being, and work for it, that is no longer my sole, or even primary, goal. I am now free to make necessary stands for righteousness and "wherever the tree falls, there it lies" (Eccl 4:4). I can truly live ... with a clear conscience being my foremost priority. I can live vigorously, and promote life, but I no longer need to cling to this life. No longer must I compromise core issues in order to protect myself. I do not have to lie to keep a job. I do not have to cheat to preserve gains. I can choose to always do the right things and God will always meet me ... even if in the furnace - thorns and all (Dan 3:1-30). I do not know if this qualifies as personal happiness, but it sure establishes foundations for personal peace and genuine well-being, which to me is ... happiness.

(Continued in, "Personal Happiness and the Bible - A Conclusion of Sorts").

Free Christian Ebook (s) and Free Online Article (s)
Freely I Give Because Freely I Have Been Given