Wrestling With God 3

Intro

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ecc 9:7- why can’t that be it? could that be what Jesus died for?

Doesn’t God just want us to be happy?

Does it really matter how I’m living so long as I’m happy or working toward some sort of happiness?

Worldly Happiness

an emotional response to positive outcomes

“Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses a range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy. It is often associated with positive life experiences, such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in enjoyable activities.”

has been degraded thanks to the availability of dopamine in your world

you can get a little hit of happiness with the swipe of a finger not matter how your day is going

without having to work for anything in the real world around you

without having to create or participate in the actual positive experience

Happiness in Scripture

James 4-

God does not just want you to be happy

If that’s what you think this relationship is about, then you have wildly misunderstood

there is a difference between being happy and being near to God

if your happiness draws you away from being close to God then God doesn’t want you to be happy

if you are happy doing nearly nothing but just getting by, that’s the same kind of selfishness

if your happiness is living just to serve your self, then it is sin

Ecclesiastes 2&3- if you chase the ends you will never find joy that God has given for you

12:10- everything in perspective- do the very best that you can, and do it while keeping close to God

Philippians 4- rejoice always- by being close to God

Application

Happiness is given by God

something that his Spirit is meant to produce in you

but if your own happiness and passions are what you are after, you might as well catch wind in a jar