The Declaration of Independence of the United States boldly claims that every citizen is “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” A recent poll revealed that only one third of Americans say they are very happy. That is why the question is often asked, “How can I be happy?” The German philosopher Johann Wolfgang Goethe said there are nine keys to contentment and happiness:
- Health enough to make work a pleasure.
- Money enough to support your needs.
- Strength enough to battle your difficulties and overcome them.
- Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
- Patience enough to work until some good is accomplished.
- Charity enough to see some good in your neighbors.
- Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
- Faith enough to make real the things of God.
- Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.
Notice how spiritually motivated most of Goethe’s keys are. But how do we acquire these qualities so we can be happy? The place to begin is to open God’s Word. Notice, for example, these two verses:
“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15).
“Happy is he who trusts in the Lord” (Proverbs 16:20).
Another key in experiencing lasting happiness is to avoid sin, for sin is a major source and cause of unhappiness. Psalm 51 is a wonderful description of the effects of sin. Whatever you do, if you want to be happy, avoid sin. And if you fail, confess it and the Lord will restore to you the joy of salvation (see I John 1:9).
Ask God to keep you free from hate, and to keep your mind free from worry. Live simply; expect little; give much; fill your life with love, and scatter sunshine. Forget self; think of others, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Happiness is just another word for joy. What I have noticed about genuinely happy people is that it is not how much they have or who they are that makes them joyful. If you want the fullest possible happiness, give yourself completely to Jesus Christ. Trust your life to Him. Read His words, follow His ways, and talk to Him. He will give you “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8). John Oxenham expresses it this way:
“Not for one single day
Can I discern my way.
But this I surely know—
Who gives the day
Will show the way,
So I securely go.”
The Paper Pulpit 
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