Extending Happiness!
Written by Dale Ebel
How did you do if you read my last article, “Approve the Things That Are Good?”
On a scale of 1–10, circle your improvement level. (5 doesn’t count—be more decisive 😁)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
My purpose for you after reading this is:
To be intentional in communicating Christ’s happiness to others.
[Deuteronomy 26:11 ESV]
“And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.”
Verse 11 commands the Israelites, as translated here, to “enjoy” God’s bounty. Literally translated, the Hebrew word commands the Israelites—and us, His covenant keepers—to be happy. Repeatedly, in the first five books of the Bible, God commands His people to “rejoice,” to “enjoy,” and to “be happy.”
Given how much pain the vast majority of people endure, this command is quite remarkable. Therefore, I believe happiness is both a moral and a Christian obligation.
Intentional Reciprocation
[Romans 12:15 NLT]
“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
The power of reciprocating and acknowledging someone else’s joy, happiness, success, or sorrow is evidence that a person is maturing in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many times during the course of a month, I remember fantastic things that people—Christian or non-Christian alike—have said to me, and I choose to repeat those words to others. The next time I see the person who said something meaningful, I tell them how I have been “gossiping” 😁 their comment to others.
Friends, this empowers them and builds them up! Let’s be intentional in praising others—out loud and to their face.
[Proverbs 27:21 AMP]
“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold… and each is tested by the praise given to him…”
The Amplified Translation is so clarifying!
While in seminary, I memorized 130 selected Proverbs for a class and had to recite them face-to-face to the professor. One of my favorites still comes to mind regularly—even 50 years later.
I apply it by consistently praising people and acknowledging the good works I see them doing. When I personally receive praise, it can either go to my head or to my heart. The Holy Spirit uses it as motivation to keep doing God’s will, God’s way, and to please our Lord Jesus Christ.
Three Reasons to Extend Happiness
First, we owe it to all those who come into our lives to have a happy disposition. This point should be self-evident.
No one wants to live with, work with, be friends with, or be raised by an unhappy person. Ask a child what it was like to grow up with an unhappy parent, or ask parents what pain they experience when they have an unhappy child (of any age), and the case for happiness as a moral obligation becomes abundantly clear.
[Psalm 89:15 AMP]
“Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound…”
[Proverbs 15:13 NIV]
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
If I dare say, I would add: “…and it crushes the spirit of another.”
Many people think happiness is purely an emotional state—a circumstantial feeling—and therefore temperamental, not a behavioral practice, and certainly not a moral obligation.
However, the Greek word makarios (“blessed”) also means happy. In the Beatitudes, the resulting nature and deep inner state of a Kingdom follower demonstrates this disposition—even in the most challenging circumstances.
[Mat 5:11 NLT] 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
Happiness is anything but temperamental.
Happiness is rooted in the Holy Spirit’s inner confidence within a Kingdom participant. When our framework is built on gratitude to the Lord God, happiness and joy radiate from our countenance to those around us.
[Psalm 9:14 NLT] 14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.
I believe just as we owe it to others to clean our bodies and mouths (a lifesaver not only saves a life but potentially a relationship 😁), so as not to inflict bad odors on others (deodorant is helpful 😁—men, trim your nose hairs 😁), we also owe it to others not to inflict bad moods on them.
Prolonged unhappiness can be a form of “self-absorption,” “exceptionalism,” and/or even “narcissism.” Exceptionalism is the mentality that “my condition is unique,” or “people don’t understand what I’ve been through.” Therefore they justify their unhappiness.
While circumstances may be real—whether self-inflicted, illness-related, or due to tragedy—living in a perpetual state of unhappiness and inflicting that on others is irresponsible and selfish. I say this with the utmost caution,
Second, happy people contribute positively to their families, communities, and workplaces. They make the world around them better rather than seeking to tear it down.
Unhappy people often do the opposite—sometimes unintentionally—because it becomes ingrained behavior. Many attribute their unhappiness to society rather than examining their own attitudes and choices.
Who wants to be around such people? In many cases, others “starve dysfunction” by creating distance—and I believe that can be healthy. As Christians, we sometimes tolerate too much foolish behavior.
[Proverbs 26:4 AMP] 4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool ( one who disregards wisdom) according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. Yikes!!
Additionally, people behave more decently when they are happy. They are more positively disposed toward others and treat people better.
Third, unhappy religious people—Christian people—reflect poorly on Yahweh, their Creator.
Unhappy Christians pose a real challenge to faith. If their Faith is so compelling, why aren’t they happy?
There are only two possible conclusions:
- They are not practicing their Faith correctly, or
- Their religion itself is not conducive to happiness
Most outsiders assume the latter.
Unhappy—especially angry—religious people provide more persuasive arguments for atheism and secularism than atheists themselves.
Friends, reflect on this—it is monumental.
A Slight Disclaimer
Everything I’ve written above is true, but it primarily refers to people who choose unhappiness.
When we discovered that our grandson Jude had an incurable genetic disorder (Tuberous Sclerosis), and our other grandson Brock was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I was deeply unhappy.
My mind, will, emotions, and spirit reeled. I entered a period of confusion, disappointment as I wrestled with my theology and faith.
I have deep empathy for those who suffer due to circumstances beyond their control.
Even now, though I still grieve, unhappiness does not dominate or paralyze me. Over time, I’ve gained a different perspective in my walk with Christ—especially in prayer, releasing expectations, and allowing others to suffer on their own timetable rather than my timetable.
The question I asked myself was:
“Am I going to let my past sins and present realities stop me from furthering the Kingdom of God while He still has me here on earth?”
By God’s grace and through intentional obedience, I will continue to trust His sovereignty and His Word.
Am I batting 1.000? Obviously not—but I keep going while I still can, with whatever sensibility I have left 🤪
[John 9:4 AMP]
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day…”
So What?
If you take this teaching to heart, I ask you:
- Will you choose to be happy?
- Will you choose to extend that happiness to others?
The measure of success is not what we know—it is what we do.
One Final Story
While receiving physical therapy for neuropathy, a woman approached me with a shaved head and a mask and said, “Hi Dale!”
I didn’t recognize her. She told me her name—she had been one of my therapists for years. She explained she had been struggling.
I said to her in our brief conversion.
“I want you to know that when I think of you, a smile comes to my face—and I mean that for all the right reasons.”
She gently tapped her heart and, with tears in her eyes, said:
“Dale, you brought joy to me today. Thank you!”
[1Corinthians 12:26 ESV] 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
She has heard me speak about Jesus Christ many times. I don’t know if she is a Christian, but she is a wonderful person.
Friends, I don’t fully understand how moments like this fit into God’s grand redemptive plan—but I do know this:
My expression of happiness impacted her profoundly.
Others nearby overheard. One person across the room simply said,
“Ah.”
Extending God’s happiness with you,
Dale