School of Restoration
MP3 Download Course
By Jeremy Lopez
This past week, I found myself feeling a bit heavy-hearted. My mind was full of thoughts—some of them good, but some weighing me down. Ever feel that way? I thought to myself, I have to get back to my happy!
As Christians, we often diminish the importance of happiness, wondering, Does God really want me to be happy? My answer? Absolutely, yes! Of course, our walk with Jesus involves suffering, but God also calls us to be glad in Him. Did you know that the word glad appears more than 150 times in Scripture?
Author John Piper once said, “God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him.” Feeling happy and feeling satisfied are closely connected, and both lead to living a contented life. Jesus told His disciples that His desire was for His joy to be in them—that their joy would be complete (John 15:11).
So, what does complete joy look like for you? And when your happiness starts slipping, how do you get it back? As I’ve been thinking about those questions, I believe there are intentional steps we can take to rediscover our happiness.
Getting Your Happy Back
1. Root Your Happiness in the Love of God.
I firmly believe in reminding myself daily: I am completely loved by God. He delights in me! I start my mornings cultivating this truth by spending time with Him. As I thank and praise Him for His unfailing love, my heart is strengthened to believe it more deeply.
I speak out loud the words of the psalmist: “I will be glad and rejoice in you!” (Psalm 9:2).
When my happiness starts slipping, I know I need more time with the Lord—not whining but worshiping. Now, don’t get me wrong—there’s absolutely a time and place for lament. But even in lament, we worship God because of His love and faithfulness. And here’s what happens: when we choose gratitude and worship, God reorders our thinking, and we begin to feel glimpses of happiness again.
2. Connect with a Friend.
A connected life is a more contented life. I recently read that researchers have determined spending time with friends you like increases your happiness as much as if you received a $133,000-a-year raise! Wow!
Want to feel rich and happy? Spend time with friends.
When I feel my happy slipping, I reach out. My friends lift my spirits by praying with me, laughing with me, and listening to me. God designed us for deep connection—not just with Him, but with others. If you want to live the joyful life you were created for, you must cultivate meaningful friendships.
3. Give a Gift.
It’s a proven fact—generous people are happier people. And you don’t have to be wealthy to live generously! You just have to view your resources differently.
Years ago, I realized that when my happiness is slipping, I need to increase my generosity.
One time, I was feeling really down in the grocery store, so I paid for the groceries of the elderly woman behind me. Another time, when my heart felt heavy, I sent money to a friend to help cover her expenses.
Now, let me be clear—I am not rich. There have been seasons when we’ve struggled financially. But here’s what I know: our money isn’t just for us to keep. God calls us to live generously (1 Timothy 6:17-18), and as I’ve embraced that, I’ve felt happier.
Don’t believe me? Try it. It’s life-changing! As Proverbs says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
The First Steps to Reclaiming Happiness
There’s so much more I could say about living a happy life—we could talk about rest, exercise, and healthy eating. But for now, why not start with these three simple steps?
✅ Root your happiness in God’s love.
✅ Intentionally spend time with friends.
✅ Give generously.
I guarantee—you’ll feel happier!
Becky Harling
