I consider our present sufferings insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
Would you say that being happy is usually your daily goal? Who doesn’t want to be happy, after all? Happiness is a good thing; it draws people to you and proves that your faith is unshakeable. But sometimes happiness can start to become an idol, especially when you tell yourself you can’t handle life without it. How important is happiness to you? Ask yourself a few questions on the topic:
Would I rather be happy or holy?
Am I happy to be tested (see James 1:2)?
What kinds of sins have I committed in order to find happiness?
Is “because it will make me happy” ever an excuse for sin?
What does God have to say about happiness?
What does he have to say about endurance and suffering?
Why is happiness such an obsession?
What is the difference between happiness and joy?
Sometimes it’s good to question yourself just to stay on track. When life starts to get you down, asking questions about your faith, what you believe, and what God says can really help you through the hard times. When it comes to your emotional state, what is most important to you says a lot about your faith. If you think you must be happy at all times, then consider Romans 8:18 and the insignificance of your unhappiness in the grand scheme of things. Happiness is a good thing, and we all want to be happy, but happiness rests in the God we serve and not the circumstances in which we live. You can find the power to be happy even when things go terribly wrong when you trust that God is in control and that no matter how terrible things get, he will never leave you.