Science Daily released a report stating what many people already knew: Trying to be happy makes us unhappy. The phenomenon is called the “happiness paradox.”¹ Chasing happiness leads to exhaustion and disappointment. The Bible indicates that happiness, joy, and cheerfulness are byproducts of spiritual living.

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while imprisoned in Rome. He may have composed his letter under house arrest in his own rented home (Acts 28:30-31), or perhaps he had been moved to a cell closer to the courtroom where his case was heard. In any event, Paul seemed upbeat, cheerful, productive, and undisturbed by his circumstances. He mentioned joy and rejoicing over and over in Philippians. Paul heard the joyful call to worship and was walking in the light of God’s presence.

Today, worship our Savior, and rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 3:1).

God is the only source of real happiness. He does not need anything or anyone to make him happy; even before he made the world, the three persons of the Trinity were completely happy with each other. What God does for Christians is to make them as happy as he is.
Jeremiah Burroughs