Notes of Faith July 3, 2025
The Happiness Paradox
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
Psalm 89:15, NLT
Science Daily released a report stating what many people already knew: Trying to be happy makes us unhappy. The phenomenon is called the “happiness paradox.”1 Chasing happiness leads to exhaustion and disappointment. The Bible indicates that happiness, joy, and cheerfulness are byproducts of spiritual living.
Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while imprisoned in Rome. He may have composed his letter under house arrest in his own rented home (Acts 28:30-31), or perhaps he had been moved to a cell closer to the courtroom where his case was heard. In any event, Paul seemed upbeat, cheerful, productive, and undisturbed by his circumstances. He mentioned joy and rejoicing over and over in Philippians. Paul heard the joyful call to worship and was walking in the light of God’s presence.
Today, worship our Savior, and rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 3:1).
God is the only source of real happiness. He does not need anything or anyone to make him happy; even before he made the world, the three persons of the Trinity were completely happy with each other. What God does for Christians is to make them as happy as he is.
Jeremiah Burroughs
1. University of Toronto, “Trying to Be Happy Makes Us Unhappier by Zapping Our Self-Control, Study Finds,” Science Daily, February 27, 2025.
Phil 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Being a believer and follower of Jesus makes it possible for you to rejoice always, knowing that God is always in control, in and through every one of your specific circumstances. Jesus said, “The Bible is truth!” Therefore, pray, give your need to God expecting Him to answer your prayer for His glory and your good!
Pastor Dale