Happiness is something that everyone pursues throughout their entire life, both consciously and subconsciously. Everything we do, all the choices we make, deep down we want them to lead to us being happy and fulfilled.

But how does happiness actually happen?

Sometimes, it feels like happiness is fleeting. We reach a goal we set, and we feel it for some time, but then something else arises that we feel we need to chase. So, how do we reach and keep it? And where can you find an answer to such a deep question?

On my journey to finding the answer to such a complicated question, I realized that the answer might have been right under my nose the whole time: in the Bible. Scripture talks about happiness and what it can mean, and it holds many teachings that can bring us closer to this feeling.

In this article I’ll explore what happiness is according to philosophy, psychology, and the Bible, and I’ll discuss Max Lucado’s study of important Bible messages in his book, “How Happiness Happens.”

What Is Happiness According to Philosophy?

Philosophers understand happiness in two main ways: as a state of mind and as well-being. The psychological sense focuses on how a person feels, whether they experience pleasure, contentment, or positive emotions. 

This includes theories like hedonism (happiness as pleasure), life satisfaction (a favorable judgment of one’s life), and emotional state theory (overall emotional well-being). These views consider happiness a mental condition, much like being calm or anxious.

The second, value-based view defines happiness as living a good, flourishing life. Here, happiness is tied to well-being or what is good for a person, often independent of how they feel. Philosophers like Aristotle supported this idea, linking happiness (eudaimonia) to fulfilling one’s human potential and living virtuously.

Modern thinkers debate which of these captures the essence of happiness. Hedonists argue pleasure is all that matters, while others say emotional depth or meaningful satisfaction is more important. Hybrid theories combine elements of pleasure, emotional balance, and life satisfaction.

Importantly, happiness is not always equated with well-being. Someone may feel happy yet live a shallow or harmful life. Philosophers also examine how happiness connects to morality and whether pursuing happiness should be life’s main goal.

What Is Happiness According to Psychology?

In psychology, happiness is often understood through the lens of subjective well-being (SWB), which includes emotional experiences, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. Cognitive psychology emphasizes the brain’s role in happiness. 

Regions like the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus help regulate emotions, manage stress, and store positive memories. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins also influence our mood, pleasure, and motivation.

Research outlines eight core elements of happiness: life satisfaction, positive emotions, fewer negative emotions, fulfillment of basic and psychological needs, meaningful relationships, purpose, resilience, and deep engagement or “flow.” These factors together help individuals feel content and balanced, even in the face of stress.

Happiness also evolves over a lifetime. Studies show a U-shaped pattern where happiness peaks in youth, dips during midlife, and rises again in older age. However, happiness varies greatly from person to person and is influenced more by personal values and self-perception than by age alone.

Culture plays a role, too. In the West, happiness is often tied to achievement and independence, while collectivist cultures may connect it more with family, harmony, and shared goals. Regardless of culture, strong social bonds remain a consistent predictor of long-term happiness and well-being.

What Is Happiness According to The Bible?

Happiness is defined differently in the Bible than in modern society. When the Bible talks about joy, it's usually referring to something isolated. There is no correlation between external factors and the happiness that the Bible promotes. This is demonstrated by the fact that the terms "bless" and "blessed" appear in both the Old and New Testaments.

In the Bible, happiness isn’t defined by comfort or success; it’s rooted in ʾashrê (Hebrew) and makarios (Greek), words often translated as “blessed” or “flourishing.” These terms appear throughout Scripture to describe the deep joy and well-being that come from living in right relationship with God.

For example, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 express this concept clearly: “Blessed [or happy] are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…” (Matt. 5:10). This isn’t surface-level happiness; it’s spiritual fulfillment grounded in obedience, humility, and alignment with God’s kingdom.

Biblical scholar Jonathan Pennington explains that true flourishing can only happen through a life centered on God. It’s not about chasing personal satisfaction, but about participating in God’s covenant of grace. We’re drawn into this relationship by His mercy and held in it by His power. Within this covenant, our faithfulness brings us into deeper joy—ʾashrê.

Tim Keller builds on this in his sermon “The Search for Happiness,” stating that the more we focus on God and less on ourselves, the more joy we find. Ironically, the pursuit of self-centered happiness often leaves us empty. But when we seek God first, happiness becomes a natural result.

Is There A Difference Between Joy and Happiness?

The Bible doesn’t make a hard distinction between joy and happiness. Both refer to deep emotional experiences and are often used in similar contexts throughout Scripture. While the word happiness appears around 30 times, joy and rejoice are used over 300 times, suggesting that the two are closely related.

Definitions reflect this overlap. Happiness is typically described as a state of contentment or pleasure, and to rejoice means to feel or express great delight. For example, Jeremiah 31:13 says: 

"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

Here, gladness and joy are presented as parallel ideas, showing their close relationship.

Another example is found in Proverbs 23:25:

"Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice."

This verse equates being glad with rejoicing, reinforcing that joy and happiness are intertwined.

Many today suggest that joy is spiritual and lasting, while happiness is emotional and temporary. They might say that joy is from God, and happiness is based on circumstances. Yet Scripture never separates them this way. As James 1:2–4 encourages us:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

This passage shows that even in difficult times, joy, and therefore true happiness, can still be present because it flows from faith and purpose, not ease.

Solomon reflects on worldly pleasures in Ecclesiastes 2:1–2:

"I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. 'Laughter,' I said, 'is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?'"

This shows that surface-level happiness, disconnected from God, is ultimately empty.

In contrast, God promises lasting joy to His people. Isaiah 35:10 paints a hopeful future:

"Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

So, rather than separate joy and happiness, the Bible presents them as deeply connected. True happiness comes from a relationship with God, and it is in Him that we find both joy and lasting peace.

How Happiness Happens According to Max Lucado

When we think about being happy, we usually picture things going our way—maybe a good day, a vacation, or finally reaching a goal. But Max Lucado’s How Happiness Happens challenges that idea. He invites us to look at what the Bible actually says about happiness, and it’s not what we’d expect.

According to Lucado, the Bible doesn’t describe happiness as something we chase for ourselves. Instead, it shows happiness as something we find when we focus on loving others, being kind, and living in step with God’s ways.

Happiness Is Rooted in God, Not Circumstances

Lucado points out that the Bible uses words like “blessed” or “flourishing” to describe true happiness. These words come from the original Hebrew (ʾashrê) and Greek (makarios) and are found throughout Scripture, especially in places like the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

For example:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9

In this context, “blessed” doesn’t mean wealthy or problem-free. It means spiritually content, right with God, walking in His purpose. Lucado emphasizes that this kind of happiness has little to do with our daily circumstances and everything to do with our relationship with God.

The “One Another” Commands Are the Real Secret

One of Lucado’s biggest takeaways is that the Bible lays out a clear path to happiness through the “one another” commands found in the New Testament. These include:

• Love one another
• Serve one another
• Forgive one another
• Encourage one another
• Accept one another

Lucado says these commands are more than good advice, they’re tools for building the kind of joy that lasts. The more we focus on blessing others, the more we start to feel joy ourselves. That may sound backward, but it works.

Instead of spending all our energy trying to fix our own unhappiness, the Bible invites us to lift someone else up, and in doing so, we often find our own burdens feel a bit lighter.

True Joy Comes from Selfless Living

We live in a world that tells us to “do what makes you happy.” But Lucado reminds us that self-centered living rarely leads to long-term joy. In fact, the more we obsess over our own comfort or status, the more isolated and dissatisfied we feel.

The Bible shows a better way:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

Lucado highlights how acts of kindness, service, and generosity not only reflect God’s heart but also bring unexpected joy to our own lives. It's in forgiving someone, sharing what we have, or comforting a hurting friend that we experience the happiness the Bible talks about.

Happiness Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Way of Life

Lucado is careful to say that happiness, in a biblical sense, isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about living in a way that reflects God’s love. Even when life is hard, we can still experience peace and joy when we’re walking with Him and treating others with grace.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” – James 1:2

This kind of joy doesn’t come from pretending everything is okay. It comes from trusting God and continuing to live with purpose, no matter what we’re facing.

Find More Answers with Bible Chat

Happiness is just one of the many pursuits of our lives. There are many life dilemmas whose solutions we can find if we take the time to study the Bible. The most convenient way to do that is by using the Bible Chat app. There, you can ask your questions, discover important verses, and find prayers that will change your life and your relationship with God.

Download the app and have a helpful Bible resource with you at all times!

Conclusion

Finding happiness isn’t about chasing the next big thing. It’s about slowing down, turning toward others, and living the way God designed us to. As Max Lucado beautifully shows in How Happiness Happens, true joy doesn’t come from putting ourselves first. It comes from loving, serving, and encouraging the people around us.

The Bible’s message is clear: happiness isn’t something we stumble into by luck. It’s something we grow into through kindness, forgiveness, connection, and purpose. When we live out the “one another” commands, we experience the kind of happiness that lasts. Not because everything is perfect, but because we’re walking in love.

References

• Happiness, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/, accessed on 02.05.2025;
• What is Happiness? Understanding the Happiness Paradox, https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-happiness/#the-neuroscience-of-happiness, accessed on 02.05.2025;
• Is there a difference between joy and happiness?, https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html, accessed on 02.05.2025;
• Lucado, Max. How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations. Thomas Nelson, 2019.