Happiness is…

Gen. 30:13 Asher, “Happy am I.”

Leah said, “I am happy because the daughters will call me blessed.” As we move through different seasons of prayer and ministry, we eventually come to a place of happy contentment when we enjoy the rewards of our labor.  Often Christians wear a sour frown instead of reflecting the blessings that God has bestowed here and above.

A happy, peaceful season of blessing is to be expected as we labor with the Lord.  Particularly in the ministry of prayer, an oil of gladness begins to flow upon our heads as we practice seasons of extended prayer and praise in God’s presence.  The reason this gladness and joy abound is because God’s very nature is to be happy, glad, and have “pleasures forevermore at His right hand.”  Psalm 16.  God is not a sourpuss or a killjoy, but rather delights to give His children the desires of their heart.

The happiness of the kingdom, however, is a different feeling than worldly pleasures that come from indulging our flesh.  Sinful pleasures are degrading and manipulating to others.  They always rob some of the joy, health, and freedom that God means for us to enjoy.  As opposed. “if one would love live and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11) Turning away from evil thoughts and actions, seeking peace, and speaking life are actually the activities that make us happy.

When we develop this hunger for righteousness, we begin to understand the Beatitudes of Jesus. “Happy are the poor in spirit.  Happy are those who mourn.  Happy are the meet, those who hunger, the merciful, and the pure in heart.”  (Matt. 5:3-8) A lifetime and lifestyle of prayer reorients our emotions with the affections and appetites of the Kingdom.

Instead of seeking happiness through the accumulation of goods and power, the praying and mature Christian finds happiness is the distribution of our resources and power in exchange for a taste of the Kingdom of God.  We experience a higher reality, and eternal one, and then everything on earth pales in comparison.

Allow yourself to be happy.  But be happy in the knowledge of God and the eternal kingdom free from suffering and pain that He is establishing.  This heavenly happiness is the result of a life spent seeking His Kingdom, and it is a peace that the world could never give nor ever take away.

As you endure wrestling and weeping for the night, joy will come in the morning as God makes us joyful in His house of prayer.