{"id":51509,"title":"God Called Us To Be Happy?","description":"God never promised us happiness, but He did call us to love and be loved. Discover why love and joy go deeper than fleeting happiness.","content":"

Does God Really Want Us To Be Happy?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m not sure God wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to love and be loved. \u2014 C.S. Lewis<\/span><\/p>

A few days ago I saw a movie about C.S. Lewis and this quote stood out to me. We often chase \u201chappiness\u201d like it\u2019s the ultimate goal of life. But did God ever call us to be happy?<\/span><\/p>

<\/p>

  1. Happiness Is Not The Goal<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    Happiness is simply the state of being happy. But what is happy? Happiness is not a fruit of the Spirit, but Joy and peace are. Happiness and joyfulness are often thought to be the same. Happiness is a temporary emotional state, related to circumstances. Whereas joy is a longer-lasting internal sense of purpose regardless of external events.<\/span><\/p>

    John 16:33 GNT - I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!<\/span><\/p>

    You can also read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11<\/span><\/p>

    <\/p>

    1. God Calls Us To Love<\/span><\/p>

      <\/p><\/li><\/ol>

      The greatest commandment: Love God\u2026 love your neighbour (Matthew 22:37-39)<\/span><\/p>

      1 John 4:7-8 God is Love. He made us in his image; therefore, we are made in the image of Love.<\/span><\/p>

      Loving often requires sacrifice, which doesn\u2019t always feel \u201chappy.\u201d Not always is sacrifice negative for you. In fact, many a time in my life have I sacrificed something for myself for others and felt so much better for it. (Matthew 16:24)<\/span><\/p>

      <\/p>

      1. Happiness vs. Joy<\/span><\/p>

        <\/p><\/li><\/ol>

        Happiness is circumstantial, Joy is rooted in Christ.<\/span><\/p>

        Galatians 5:22-23 \u2014 Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.<\/span><\/p>

        Philippians 4:4 \u2014 \u201cRejoice in the Lord always\u201d joy is possible even in pain.<\/span><\/p>

        <\/p>

        1. To Be Loved By God<\/span><\/p>

          <\/p><\/li><\/ol>

          God\u2019s love is the foundation \u2014 Romans 5:8<\/span><\/p>

          Our worth and fulfilment come from being loved by Him, not from chasing happiness.<\/span><\/p>

          <\/p>

          Practical Application<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

          Instead of asking: <\/span>\u201cAm I happy?\u201d<\/span><\/em> ask:<\/span><\/p>

          Am I walking in love?<\/span><\/p>

          Am I receiving God\u2019s love daily?<\/span><\/p>

          Am I choosing joy, even in difficulty?<\/span><\/p>

          <\/p>

          Closing Thought<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

          Circle back to Lewis: Happiness may come and go, but love remains. God\u2019s goal isn\u2019t to give us fleeting happiness, it\u2019s to make us whole in His love and to teach us how to pour that love out to others.<\/span><\/p>

          <\/p>

          Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

          \u201cLord, thank You that Your love is deeper than momentary happiness. Teach me to rest in Your love, to walk in it daily, and to choose joy that lasts no matter the circumstances. Amen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

          <\/p>

          - Nathanael Shepherd, Founder & CEO<\/span><\/p>

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          This blog was shaped with the help of AI tools to refine and organise my thoughts.<\/span><\/p>","urlTitle":"god-called-us-to-be-happy","url":"\/blog\/god-called-us-to-be-happy\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/god-called-us-to-be-happy\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/lifeonpause.store\/blog\/god-called-us-to-be-happy\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1755858617,"updatedAt":1755898380,"publishedAt":1755898379,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":344950,"name":"Life on pause"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qzym31f21zsgilopgul5gyfz7kzavnvbjvrptptfdn4ob2ag.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qzym31f21zsgilopgul5gyfz7kzavnvbjvrptptfdn4ob2ag.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qzym31f21zsgilopgul5gyfz7kzavnvbjvrptptfdn4ob2ag.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"God Called Us To Be Happy?","metaDescription":"God calls us to love, not just happiness. Explore how His love brings lasting joy beyond fleeting feelings.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":52321,"title":"Strength In Weakness | The Life On Pause Blog","url":"\/blog\/strength-in-weakness\/","urlTitle":"strength-in-weakness","division":344950,"description":"Discover why God values weakness and how His strength shines brightest when we admit our need for Him.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qikxjc8bkveklurjlxambdekuuxhasu50ltbpdxjnoiynxgn.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qikxjc8bkveklurjlxambdekuuxhasu50ltbpdxjnoiynxgn.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48497,"title":"Do Christians Still Need to Obey the Law?","url":"\/blog\/do-christians-still-need-to-obey-the-law\/","urlTitle":"do-christians-still-need-to-obey-the-law","division":344950,"description":"What role do Old Testament laws play in the life of a Christian today? In this post, we explore how love, grace, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead us beyond legalism and into a life of true holiness.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8dbasjxb888fg6tp5uojgxqfjwuuhm6erkrrqovovzhywdtj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8dbasjxb888fg6tp5uojgxqfjwuuhm6erkrrqovovzhywdtj.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48732,"title":"Love > Fear (Part Two)","url":"\/blog\/love-fear-part-2\/","urlTitle":"love-fear-part-2","division":344950,"description":"In Part 2 of Love > Fear, we explore how salvation isn\u2019t about fear\u2014it\u2019s about faith. Jesus invites us into a new life, not just an escape from hell. This post is a reminder that God\u2019s love sets us free, and you are already invited in.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lbhkdtxp4z44iyupgckjr4pjfpb5vyjsghp4332b01ldcude.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lbhkdtxp4z44iyupgckjr4pjfpb5vyjsghp4332b01ldcude.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}