The UK has fallen to twenty third in the most recent World Happiness Report. Surprising? Disappointing?Maybe even ironic, considering the UK’s wealth, global influence, and advancements in every sector possible.
And yet, in the identical report, Costa Rica and Mexico – nations with far less wealth – ranked sixth and tenth, respectively. What’s happening here?
The data revealed something powerful: happiness is closely tied to benevolence – acts like sharing meals, helping strangers – and trusting others. So, it seems that true happiness is not rooted in what we have now but how and the way much we love.
The illusion of self-centred happiness
Many chase happiness as if it is a prize we will grab through status, wealth, beauty, entertainment, profession success, relationships, substances or academic achievements. But all these items, while gratifying for a moment, cannot satisfy the soul. The happiness they provide is fleeting.
The solution to true happiness
Author Dr Don Raunikar captures this beautifully in his book Choosing God’s Best: “People who search for happiness rarely find it since it is the by-product of something else; and only a sovereign God who has planned a very good work for us can guide us with His eye to that ‘something else.’”
The key to true happiness lies in living in keeping with God’s design for our lives. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I’m the way in which and the reality and the life.” But what is that this “way” of Jesus?It is the way in which of affection. Through His entire life, death, and resurrection, Jesus revealed the depth of God’s immeasurable and sacrificial love for us. Humbling Himself, He left His heavenly throne, serving and emptying Himself for us to the purpose of giving His life for us on the cross.
Through this incredible grace, we’re offered everlasting life. And after we embrace it, how can our hearts not overflow with happiness or in other words, joy?And unlike the temporary happiness of the world, this joy is everlasting since it is rooted in God’s unchanging love for us revealed in Christ. In essence, true happiness is the by-product of God’s love.
The commandments of affection
In Matthew 22:37–39, Jesus declared: “‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.’ This is the primary and biggest commandment. And the second is prefer it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
When our hearts are stuffed with the enjoyment of God’s love, we naturally wish to share this joy through love for others. As 1 John 4:19 reminds us: “We love because He first loved us.” And in John 13:34, Jesus calls us to reflect that love: “Love each other as I actually have loved you.”
Love in motion
This call to like is a call to a lifetime of humble service – one marked by self-lowering and self-emptying. True happiness shouldn’t be self-centred; it’s others-centred, because love itself is others-centred.
Paul beautifully captures this in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn’t envy. It doesn’t boast, it shouldn’t be proud. It doesn’t dishonour others, it shouldn’t be self-seeking, it shouldn’t be easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn’t enjoyment of evil but rejoices in the reality. It at all times protects, at all times trusts, at all times hopes, at all times perseveres.”
Lent: a season to rediscover joy
What higher time than Lent to rediscover true happiness by living out love? This season invites us to show outward in compassion and repair.
You could:- Offer time, presence, or prayers to someone who needs them- Volunteer with a neighborhood charity,- Prepare and share a meal with friends or family,- Or show kindness to someone experiencing homelessness.
In loving others as Jesus loves us, we discover the happiness we were truly created for. In loving others as Jesus loves us, we discover the enjoyment we were truly created for. Because true happiness isn’t something we chase – it’s something we receive when we decide to receive and provides God’s love.
