Happiness is a word tossed around like confetti in today’s world. Just like it was on New Year’s Eve or in parades and college football games on New Year's Day.
If you ask most people what happiness means, you’ll get answers like, “getting what I want,” “feeling good,” or “having things go my way.” Some may say that it is about “caring for others.” But is this really happiness, or just a fleeting feeling tied to circumstances? Even when we help someone else, that good feeling doesn’t stick around long. The Bible speaks often of happiness, but a closer look reveals precepts that push much deeper: joy, contentment, and peace.
Unlike fleeting feelings that are, by their very nature, superficial, these are rooted and foundational. They don’t depend on what’s happening around us.
Look at how happiness is tied to the Creator in Psalm 146:5-6: “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, Who remains faithful forever.” The Hebrew word for “happy” here is ashrei, which is often translated “blessed.” It’s not about luck or chance, but a deeper, more abiding joy rooted in relationship with one’s Creator. This joy is anchored in who God is and what He has done, not in the ups and downs of life.
The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of suffering and disappointment.
Time and time again, it calls believers to rejoice in all things. Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t a call to ignore pain or pretend everything is fine. It’s an invitation to discover joy that prevails even when life is hard. Really hard.
Why is this possible? Because joy, unlike happiness, isn’t tied to “happenings.” It’s rooted in the unchanging character of God. Paul tells Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Contentment is a quiet and almost invisible confidence that God is enough, no matter what we face. It’s the kind of peace that comes from trusting the One Who made heaven and earth out of nothing. If He can create crocodiles, kangaroos and the entire cosmos, He can handle our doubts, fears, and needs. If He can work with nothing, He can undoubtedly work with something!
How different this is from the world’s definition of happiness: “If I get what I want, I’m happy.” What happens when things don’t go our way? Because we all know that is what happens most of the time! This temporary worldly happiness dissolves like the excitement of a New Year celebration. The confetti falls to the ground, is trampled and eventually swept away.
The Bible offers something exceedingly better, a joy that endures, a contentment that remains, and a peace that blows away our understanding (Philippians 4:7). The psalmist doesn’t say, “Happy is the one whose life always goes well.” He says, “Happy is the one whose hope is in the LORD.” Happiness tied to circumstances is fragile and fleeting to be certain, but joy rooted in the Creator is unshakeable.
The Hebrew word ashrei, also used Psalm 1, points to a blessedness found in relationship with God – living in alignment with His design. True contentment and enduring joy come from placing our hope in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. It is 100% fine to be pumped up about 2026. To be excited about what’s to come in 2026. But temper your celebration with the timeless truth that your Creator is good and trustworthy. That you can rest in His promises – no matter what life brings in 2026 or beyond. Life’s storms will come and worldly happiness will fade, but you can remain anchored in your Maker!
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