I'm a pretty good judge of demeanor and I have seen the faces of many so-called music icons or legends that don't seem truly happy--only on the surface, that is. This may shock you that money, fame, success, sex, nor power can buy happiness. There is "pleasure in sin for a season" according to Hebrews 11:25, and then you have to invent new ways to sin as it enslaves you. Let's distinguish between happiness and Christian joy. Happiness depends upon happenings and happenstance, whereas joy is an inner sense that no man can rob you of, and doesn't depend on outward stimulus. We are to "rejoice in the Lord always" (cf. Phil. 4:4), and in every circumstance--this is not impossible, look at Paul in jail!
The happiness of the world is fleeting and superficial and is always in a state of flux and can vary like a weather vane. Feelings come and go like a roller-coaster or yo-yo, but attitude and character are permanent--it's not what happens to us as much as what happens in us that determines our joy. To quote Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "True holiness is doing the will of God with a smile." Personally, I am happiest when I am doing the Lord's work.
Joy, on the other hand, does not depend on circumstances and is a gift from God as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 (i.e., "love, joy, peace"). You can be joyful in jail like Paul and Silas. I look at faces of news anchors and television personalities and celebrities, and they do seem happy; but how much of that is dependent on their good fortune of having a high profile job, friends, success, fame, good pay, and a fun to boot? If some rock idle lost his voice and couldn't sing anymore, or became impotent, how happy would he be. But to Christians, joy is our strength in time of need from our Paraclete or Comforter, the Holy Spirit: "... The joy of the LORD is your strength..." (cf. Neh. 8:10). In short, we are satisfied customers.
Beethoven was one who survived his circumstances, rose to the occasion, and adjusted: He became deaf and took life by the horns, not giving up on his dreams--he was a survivor! The Epicureans sought pleasure as their premier goal, but not maximum pleasure--only an optimum level. Our Declaration of Independence announces our right to the pursuit of happiness--it's the American way. The Pythagoreans in ancient Greece discovered that music soothed the savage beast and brought temporary happiness--the therapeutic value of music was esteemed even in antiquity.
Joy, on the other hand, does not depend on circumstances and is a gift from God as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 (i.e., "love, joy, peace"). You can be joyful in jail like Paul and Silas. I look at faces of news anchors and television personalities and celebrities, and they do seem happy; but how much of that is dependent on their good fortune of having a high profile job, friends, success, fame, good pay, and a fun to boot? If some rock idle lost his voice and couldn't sing anymore, or became impotent, how happy would he be. But to Christians, joy is our strength in time of need from our Paraclete or Comforter, the Holy Spirit: "... The joy of the LORD is your strength..." (cf. Neh. 8:10). In short, we are satisfied customers.
Beethoven was one who survived his circumstances, rose to the occasion, and adjusted: He became deaf and took life by the horns, not giving up on his dreams--he was a survivor! The Epicureans sought pleasure as their premier goal, but not maximum pleasure--only an optimum level. Our Declaration of Independence announces our right to the pursuit of happiness--it's the American way. The Pythagoreans in ancient Greece discovered that music soothed the savage beast and brought temporary happiness--the therapeutic value of music was esteemed even in antiquity.
Now, I'm asking you to take inventory and try to analyze what makes you happy--is it the Word of God and worship in the Spirit? Do you have spiritual goals and aspirations? The spirit of man is how God sees him. God judges our motives and our heart, that man cannot see. To be a happy camper doesn't mean you've accepted the status quo--that is complacency! We are to have purpose and raison d'etre for living in Christ.
People like to greet us with pleasantries such as "How's it goin'?" This implies that we are up and down depending on circumstances. The honest answer may be: "It's goin'!" We need to be set free from this vicious cycle of dependent feeling and realize the only true lasting joy comes as a result of walking with the Lord. I don't believe in Pollyanna Christianity where everything is always positive, because we all go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God (cf. Acts 14:22; Psalm 34:19).
People like to greet us with pleasantries such as "How's it goin'?" This implies that we are up and down depending on circumstances. The honest answer may be: "It's goin'!" We need to be set free from this vicious cycle of dependent feeling and realize the only true lasting joy comes as a result of walking with the Lord. I don't believe in Pollyanna Christianity where everything is always positive, because we all go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God (cf. Acts 14:22; Psalm 34:19).
What I'm saying is that pertinent inquiries might be as to whether we are content, fulfilled, and joyful in the Lord, (does our life have impact and meaning?), not whether we accept the status quo as par for the course, and we are to grin and bear it with the philosophy of the stoical "stiff upper lip" or "Que, sera, sera" (whatever will be, will be) thinking, or something is inherently wrong with us. Most people would be in a state of shock in hearing an honest we should be more honest with ourselves and with others, and make an appraisal of our feelings.
But most people don't want an honest answer either! This is because Proverbs warns: "Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and sorrow is good for the heart." The Preacher says that it is better to go to the house of mourning than of mirth! We can be laughing on the outside and crying on the inside--how tragic and deceptive. Beware of those who have picked up on the vocabulary and aren't spontaneous with replies, because situations vary and so should answers.
But most people don't want an honest answer either! This is because Proverbs warns: "Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and sorrow is good for the heart." The Preacher says that it is better to go to the house of mourning than of mirth! We can be laughing on the outside and crying on the inside--how tragic and deceptive. Beware of those who have picked up on the vocabulary and aren't spontaneous with replies, because situations vary and so should answers.
Caveat: We may be tempted to become hedonists who are merely pleasure seekers (i.e., the "eat, drink, and be merry" philosophy), but we must strive for spiritual hedonism, or seeking pleasure in God. Soli Deo Gloria!