Page 90 - Biblical Counseling II

One of psychology’s most consistent findings is that when we feel happy, we more often help others. In
research study after study, a mood-boosting experience (finding money, succeeding on a challenging task,
recalling a happy event) has made people more likely to give money, pick up someone’s dropped papers,
volunteer time, and do other good deeds. Psychologists call it the feel-good, do-good phenomenon.
Happiness doesn’t just feel good; it does good.

In their happiness research, psychologists have studied influences on both our temporary moods and our
long-term life satisfaction. When studying people’s hour-by-hour moods, it was discovered that positive
emotion rises over the early to middle part of most days. Stressful events – an argument, a sick child, a car
problem – trigger bad moods. No surprise there. But by the next day, the gloom nearly always lifts. If
anything, people tend to rebound from a bad day to a better-than-usual good mood the following day.
When in a bad mood, can you usually depend on rebounding within a day or two? Are your times of elation
similarly hard to sustain? Over the long run, our emotional ups and downs tend to balance (Myer, 2009).”

What about “Christian happiness?” Is there such a thing? Read the following thoughts by Dr. David Murray, a
pastor and professor of Old Testament theology. Pay attention to the quotes at the beginning, along with
what the individuals were famous for:

“While almost everyone wants to be happy, there is little agreement about what happiness is. Just look at
the diversity of these definitions below:

Happiness is to love and to work. – Sigmund Freud (a psychoanalyst)

Happiness is a warm puppy. – Charles Schulz (creator of the Charlie Brown cartoon)

Happiness is the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life
is good, meaningful, and worthwhile. – Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi.

Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude. – Dale Carnegie
(a writer on self-improvement)

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. - Denis Waitley
(an author of books, one titled “The Winner’s Edge.”

Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness. - Don Marquis (a writer of plays and novels)

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. – Eleanor Roosevelt (was married to US President Franklin D.
Roosevelt)

But what would a Christian definition of happiness look like? Is there such a thing as Christian happiness? If
so, what would it include? I believe there is such a thing as Christian happiness, quite distinct from any other
kind of happiness, but the problem is that it is so multi-layered and multi-dimensional that it’s probably
impossible to define it in one sentence. Believe me, I’ve tried. Consider even just the following sample
sources of Christian happiness.

• God is our perfect Father.

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