Happiness (Hardcover)

Happiness is an excellent book! It is also a very big book (481 pages), and it was a slow read for me. I could have read it quickly simply to get through it. But it is so good, and there is so much Scripture referenced in it, that I wanted to take my time. I went through this book slowly and carefully with my Bible next to me and my pen in hand. I underlined and starred numerous sections. I looked verses up in my Bible and took notes. I studied what Scripture has to say about happiness while I read this book. It seems to have become a common misconception that as Christians we are to be joyful, but not happy. Sometimes it is taught that joy is godly, and happiness is worldly. We should be joyful, but we should not seek to be happy. Joy is enduring; happiness is fleeting. God cares about our holiness, but not our happiness. The Bible does talk a lot about joy and rejoicing, but it also talks about happiness and gladness, and these words are used parallel to one another in Scripture. It has only been in recent years that Christians have begun to think that we shouldn't be happy; we should be joyful instead. It was interesting to read about this change in thought and teaching, which Randy covers in chapter five, What's the Difference between Joy and Happiness? It is not just okay to be happy; it is good to be happy. We are even commanded to be happy! Randy Alcorn says, “Paul's words in Philippians 4:4 are often translated ‘Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.' They could also be translated, ‘Be happy in the Lord always, and again I say be happy.' Commenting on this verse, Spurgeon said, ‘It is intended that we should be happy. That is the meaning…that we should be cheerful'” (page 18). Happiness is divided into four sections: - Our Compelling Quest for Happiness - The Happiness of God - The Bible's Actual Words for Happiness - Understanding and Experiencing Happiness in God I found each of these sections to be helpful, insightful, and fascinating! While reading Happiness, I was struck by how often we are commanded in Scripture to be happy, and I've been reminded of how much we have to be happy about. Of all people, Christians should be the happiest on earth! The gospel is good news of great joy - good news of great happiness! What a wonderful thing to remember during the Christmas season and throughout the year. Happiness was an excellent book to read, and it is one that I will keep on my bookshelf as a reference for years to come. I highly recommend Happiness! This is a message that is needed by Christians today. It is a message that is needed by the world. There is true and lasting happiness to be found, and that happiness is found in knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and living for Him alone. I received a complimentary copy of Happiness from the publisher. All opinions are my own.