Chasing Happiness

by Rich Doebler

It’s the Fourth of July—Independence Day in the USA: time to celebrate the blessings of freedom.

There is no doubt we have been blessed. Despite our national flaws, our moral compromises, and our self-indulgent ways, our way of life is the envy of the world.

Among the many ideas we celebrate (and others desire), “the pursuit of happiness” is considered foundational to our way of life. It’s more than an eloquent expression of freedom in our Declaration of Independence. It’s our right—our inalienable right.

Pursuing happiness is central to the American dream. The signers of the Declaration identified it a “self-evident truth,” and ever since this pursuit has been part of our national heritage.

We’ve spiritualized and theologized it, perhaps because the signers declared it to be “endowed upon us by our Creator.” So we’ve elevated it, even placing it on par with biblical promises. Why do we pursue happiness? Because (so we say) God ordains that we should be happy.

Of course.

But does he really? Are we entitled to happiness?

Misplaced priorities

When finding personal happiness becomes the primary motivation for our actions—the driving force of our choices in life—I wonder what other goals we’ve pushed aside in the process.

Goals like seeking God’s kingdom first. Or rejoicing when we encounter trials and troubles. Or pressing on—stretching to reach the goal of the upward call in Christ.

Never satisfied

It seems to me that those who expend their energies pursuing happiness are often those who fail to find it. If by chance they achieve some measure of happiness, they still think of all the happiness yet eluding them.

Small successes seem inadequate. There will always be more to chase after.

Blessings as a by-product

On the other hand, those who seek something other than personal gratification often discover joy in unexpected places: by blessing others, by being content with what they have, by sacrificing for a higher cause. J.B. Phillips (along with other translators) describes “blessings” as “happiness” (Matt 5:3-10):

“How happy are the humble-minded, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! How happy are those who know what sorrow means for they will be given courage and comfort! Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them! Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for goodness, for they will be fully satisfied! Happy are the merciful, for they will have mercy shown to them! Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God! Happy are those who make peace, for they will be sons of God! Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!”

Jesus taught that blessings often come as a by-product to something else. It is the poor in spirit, not the rich who are blessed. Those who grieve are blessed—as are those who hunger and thirst for what is right. It is the humble and downtrodden who are blessed, not the high and mighty.A.W. Tozer (and others) have said this reversal of our normal expectations is characteristic of what he called the “upside down” kingdom.

Imagine! A “pursuit of happiness” that runs completely counter to the culture: finding happiness in giving, in sacrificing, in serving. Apparently, when we learn to look beyond ourselves (and a few short years of earthly bliss), we are more likely to see a grand, eternal scheme.

It’s ironic. Seeking to honor God, they find happiness along the way. Fulfillment and contentment come—almost as if by accident—because their lives have taken on real meaning and significance.

As they give themselves away for God’s cause, they find themselves. “…whoever loses his life for my sake will find it,” Jesus said (Matt 16:25, NASB).

God, it seems to me, often blesses us as a by-product to something else. Chase after blessings, and you will often be disappointed. Strive for a life of ease or for a warm, fuzzy feeling, and you’ll come up short—even when you think you’ve found it.

David tells us the pathway to receiving our heart’s desires (read: happiness) begins by telling our hearts to delight in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). Delight in the Lord, and he will give you life to the full—an abundant life. Delight in your natural desires, on the other hand, and you’ll never be fully satisfied.

I am grateful today for the freedoms we enjoy in this land. I am thankful for those who sacrificed so we can enjoy them. But I cannot—I must not—forget about the greatest sacrifice that achieved my greatest freedom—the spiritual freedom to look beyond myself to a higher call…finding blessings by pursuing God.

Richard Doebler is Senior Pastor of Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle in Minnesota and also serves as a Fellowship Elder for the Upper-Midwest.