Two years ago a friend commented on a photo, “you look so happy!” And I really was. I was the happiest I had ever been. It seemed like my happily ever after was finally arriving wrapped up with a nice South African accent. I’m a sucker for accents. 

Just a few months later everything fell apart. Within four months I went from my happiest ever to my lowest ever. After contemplating ending my life, I got on some meds and began the slow climb out of that rotten angst. 

It’s easy to believe that someone else is happier, especially those who have things we want, like a trip to Mexico or a spouse or a child or a beautiful house or whatever that thing is. 

Part of what gives us the emotion of happiness are the chemicals in our body. We are flooded with serotonin, dopamine and the others when we are in love, when good things happen, when we eat something sweet, or when we exercise. 

For a long time I really believed that it wasn’t God’s priority for us to be happy. Happiness is a wonderful byproduct of great things in life, but I didn’t believe God would approve of us seeking happiness or that it was important. 

Recently I learned a secret though. (side note: did you know that learning also gives you a boost of dopamine?) The Bible is FILLED with God’s tips on how to be happy. Often, it’s wrapped up in hyper-religious words that no one accurately uses in real life. Words like blessed and rejoice. 

The word blessed literally means “happy.” #happy

During the month of July, or let’s be real… probably longer than that… I’m diving into the longest chapter of the Bible. Psalm 119. My goal is to memorize it. This chapter is all about the Word of God, and we are going to dive in to learn what the Psalmist has to say about it!

The chapter is divided into eight verse sections, and in the original text each line begins with the respective letter of the alphabet. Eight verses starting with A, eight with B, and so on, all about the Bible. Although some commentators, like Spurgeon, think this is written by David, many others think it was written by Ezra. We’ll say that the author is Ezra, just for ease. 

Aleph- vs. 1-8

I think one of the things that irritates me the most about the #blessed culture is the assumption that our blessing comes from our own good works. We see this a lot in the prosperity gospel movement, but it has also crept into mainstream American Christianity in subtle ways. This is dangerous for many reasons. One is that it can lead us to believe that if good things are coming our way we are right with God. That might not be the case at all. It can also lead us to believe that if bad things are happening to us we have sinned. Again, not true. Have you met my friend Job? (If you didn’t hear that in a Barney Stinson voice please reread it.)

We can easily come to the conclusion that blessings and happiness come from obedience as we step foot into this psalm. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. 

I don’t think that Ezra is saying that good fortunes come to those who are blameless. Instead I think he is saying that happiness flows out of having a blameless life. It’s not that God sends all-inclusive resort vacations to those who are blameless because they are obedient, instead the obedient find themselves overflowing with joy no matter their circumstances.

Those whose way is blameless are happy.

Those who walk in the law of the Lord are happy.

Those who observe His testimonies are happy.

Those who seek Him with all their heart are happy.

Three of those four statements are directly tied to Scripture. You really can’t have a blameless way unless you know what the laws are, so indirectly the fourth is as well. It works like this, when we seek God with all of our heart, when we find out what his testimonies (words) are and do them, when we walk according to his rules and don’t disobey Him, we are free to live a happy life. 

Because we live in a sinful world, we WILL have trials and broken relationships. Cancer and cheaters plague even the most faithful. 

In verses five and six, Ezra says that obeying God’s statutes keeps us from being ashamed. Shame is a trick of the Devil! He convinces us that sin is not that big of a deal, but then he piles shame on high, accusing us when we do. 

As we spend more time in God’s Word and learn more about Him, we don’t turn away from sin out of guilt, we turn away from sin because we realize how much He loves us. We realize how good He is. We find overwhelming joy and happiness in our relationship with Him. 

So far Ezra has taught us that happiness comes from obeying God, knowing His Word and seeking Him. 

He gives us one other clue to happiness in the first stanza as well, and it is corroborated by Paul in the New Testament. In fact, Paul says that this is God’s will for us. 

Give thanks, be joyful and talk to God about everything! (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

In Psalms 119, Ezra says that learning about God’s right way of doing things stirs up gratitude in his heart. Did you know that giving thanks makes you happy? It’s true! Therapists tell you to begin a gratitude journal when you’re down in the dumps, but it was God’s idea first. 

The Bible is filled with God’s plan for you to be happy, and he does in fact want you to be happy. It’s just not exactly what you think it will look like. 

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Disclaimer: Depression and anxiety are actual medical issues that may require medication. This is caused by decreased chemicals in your body which can happen for a variety of reasons. It’s ok to use antidepressants, see a therapist AND read your Bible. This article was not meant to provide medical advice. I am not a doctor or a therapist.