Read
Chapter 3
Could we dare to pursue happiness? Could we dare to explore delight in ways that simultaneously expand our holy pursuit of God?
I believe we can. In fact, we might just need to.
I know God is asking this of me.
The ways I’ve understood God have been too limited, and this happiness dare prompts me to go further.
My deep thinking and feeling have made it challenging to enjoy the process of knowing Him and smiling from what I found. As a result, I’ve missed experiencing some pretty amazing moments of happiness. I’ve missed growing more in love with the God who loves me unconditionally.
As a young girl, my faith was shaped around the images and understanding of a serious and somber God. It was easier to identify with a God who held righteous anger than a God who took delight in His creation — much less, a God in whom I could take delight.
It’s hard to feel cherished for who you are when you can’t find wonder in the God who created you.
I knew there had to be more, so I asked God to reveal what I needed to see.
As I intentionally pursued a healed heart and strengthened soul, God brought to mind beautiful images of Him smiling, even laughing. At first, it seemed absurd.
Through a powerful vision He spoke to my scared heart, “I’ve created all this for you to enjoy,” while showing me wonders which overwhelmed. Step by step, I tested this call of God and found unspeakable enjoyment.
Like His words to me then, this dare feels audacious. Yet, it’s altogether amazing for the way we come to see, know, and love God more. In how we learn to reflect more of His image here on earth by valuing the happiness that He feels, expresses, and offers to each of us.
God calls us to accept the fullness of who He is, and we can’t do that without embracing moments of happiness.
Jennifer writes:
We can dare to believe this together . . . Happiness is not only permissible by God but achievable through Him. Happiness is our birthright. It is the holy fuel of our personhood, enabling us to live as the best versions of ourselves. {p. 45}
Could we dare to find happiness in the day to day? Even when life is brutally hard? Yes. In fact, taking this dare might be the very thing a weary and worn soul needs, so that hope and strength can be found once again.
God offers glimpses of His goodness every single day.
We can keep our eyes on Him while finding happiness in fun times, silly friendships, wildly wonderful treasures, and even checking things off our to-do list.
Let’s get closer to Him as we explore happiness as part of His holiness.
What’s Next
Be sure to head over to the (in)courage Facebook page at noon EST today as Jennifer Dukes Lee takes over our account for a fun live chat! And, for next Tuesday, read chapters 4 and 5.
Discuss
Head over here to join the conversation! How difficult is it to take the Happiness Dare in an age of cynicism, terror, and heartbreak? Why is it important to take the dare anyway?
Jolene Underwood is passionate about cultivating a life well-lived, because when trials come, a well-lived life goes beyond surviving to thriving. She knows the need for emotional care intimately and believes greater peace, joy, and freedom are available to all believers. You can find her words at joleneunderwood.com and as a contributor for Grace Table. She also offers both spiritual and writing encouragement for writers, speakers, and entrepreneurs through the Rise Up Writers community.
I too had an impression of God, which in my 55th year and still wrestling to shut down those old audio tapes that play in my head. Who wouldn’t be scared to death, especially if they suffer from depression and anxiety as I do, of a God who tells you to do something and you mess up and then poof – you’re history. I am thinking of Lot’s wife. So I spend my entire life as Chicken LIttle, just thinking of God with his notebook, and when he had enough, I would take a nasty fall, get an extra beating at home, get mugged, etc furthering my ‘proof’ that God is watching and he is definitely not pleased with me. Will I be the next Mrs Lot ??
I try to find joy and happiness wherever and however I can, including just watching a squirrel scamper up my tree in the backyard or finding a quarter in the street.
Oh Elizabeth, I can just hear your heart and the challenges. I’ve lived with many of those fears most of my life and continue to work through every lie of the enemy in order to live out truth. It’s a fight, but you are worth it! I can just see Jesus looking at you today with open arms and a huge smile. He’s embracing you and walking with you. Thank you for sharing your smiles at watching a squirrel scamper. This makes me smile too as I picture our dog waiting at the bottom of the tree and playing tag with every tree the squirrel runs to.
May you see squirrels and more today!
You are incredibly kind and sweet – thank you so much !
Elisabeth-Ann and Jolene – thank you both. I can also relate to all you’ve said Elisabeth-Ann and it was a blessing to read this post and your comment. May small, everyday sights bring happiness and peace to your heart 🙂 M x
I love how you find happiness in the common things of life. So grateful for you being here, Elizabeth-Anne!
Oh Elizabeth, I can just hear your heart and the challenges. I’ve lived with many of those fears most of my life and continue to work through every lie of the enemy in order to live out truth. It’s a fight, but you are worth it! I can just see Jesus looking at you today with open arms and a huge smile. He’s embracing you and walking with you. Thank you for sharing your smiles at watching a squirrel scamper. This makes me smile too as I picture our dog waiting at the bottom of the tree and playing tag with every tree the squirrel runs to.
May you see squirrels and more today!
I too can relate to knowing God only in this box I created to keep the knowledge in. My life seems too often to be a series of heartache and tradgegy, hard seasons one after another after another. It would seem the greatest heartaches came after I had really accepted Christ and began a journey with Him.
I still often ask God why, as we wade thru a difficult period with my husband’s PTSD from serving overseas and my brother’s MS taking most all of his mobility now.
I seek out the little joys day by day, creating a prayer shawl stitch by stitch, watching our crazy cats, taking delight in our home. The battles are deep, even in my iwn health struggles. Seeking God further, and praying.
Sue, this moves me. Your daily pursuits to seek God and the happy things in life are so vital in the process of living through had. My own experiences have included many trials as well, and I know those dark days and the way weariness sets in from incessant challenge after challenge. Keep on persevering dear Sue! God delights in you and will not leave you! My heart is hugging you right now.
oops, “living through hard”. Goodness, I’ll get this comment thing down at some point today! 🙂
Thank you for this. I have struggled with addictions, depression and a terrible fog and feeling so lost lately. I feel like I’m in a season of waiting but when I can, I try to revel in the very few moments of peace and a new understanding of Gods grace for me. I read this and feel a sense of love and healing coming from our precious Jesus that brings me to tears.
Thanks
Wendy, I feel those healing tears with you. Jesus presence is so wonderful isn’t it? I’m praying for you today, that God shows you even more glimpses of His goodness and that ever moment reveled in brings you closer to His heart for you. You are loved. Keep going dear, Wendy.
I need help. I need this. I choose to run to my Father, to cry out to Him for help, healing, renewal. All I hear is the ringing in my ears, and the deafening silence. I choose to believe, despite how I feel. What more can I do, or is it just a matter of time?
Jim, what a brave and courageous thing to begin with “I need help.” So often I’ve shied away from admitting the need, but God keeps prompting me to remember how much we need Him every single day. When I do, when I break in humility, I find new levels of experiencing peace with Jesus.
I can relate to the silence and the hidden cries while pleading. God is working His plan out even when it seems He is not there. He is always, always there. Choosing to believe despite the feelings is so incredibly important. God sees and it will not go unnoticed. I believe He has a journey for you to continue on and He will be with you in every step.
I am praying for you now.
Thank you, for taking the time to read, reply, and pray. I know all of those actions take a commitment and sacrifice. I greatly appreciate it. I know the truth, and it’s hard, extremely hard, to even say it, especially in the midst of the never ending pain and……. whatever this is.
What I need most is only found in Christ. What’s most difficult is to let go, let Him carry me, and to continue even after that, even while He’s carrying me and I’m still broken.
Jim, I am praying for you too. I’ve been in that place where God seems silent and you have to choose to believe and it takes such courage to take each step forward. Keep stepping forward though…each step brings you closer to the place where the valley opens up. Each step is noticed, protected, and cared deeply about by a perfect Father who loves you and is there, even when He seems far away. He loves you and He won’t let you go.
Jolene
God offers glimpses of His goodness every single day. All one has to do is look out the window at a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Take a nice walk outside and see the majesty and beauty that He created for us. Zephaniah 3:17 states it clearly “The Lord is near. He is mighty to save. He will take delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Imagine a holy righteous God rejoicing over me and you all with singing.
Blessings 🙂
Joining the book club late…but so glad to be here. This chapter really, really spoke to me! I realize that I’ve been living with some un-detected lies about what God wants for me. I had no idea that they were there, but over the years I believe that those lies contributed to depression at times and to missing out on a whole lot of potential joy. I’m so thankful for this book pointing it out to me, and making me realize that I need to re-train my brain when it comes to how I see God’s desire for my happiness. What has really helped me address those lies is thinking about how I feel about my own kids…I love it when I can provide something good for them, but it brings me real *joy* when I see them truly rejoice and enjoy the little things I give them! If that brings me, an imperfect human parent, so much joy–how much more must God delight in His children’s happiness?!? I am working on remembering that my happiness brings Him joy as well. It’s a bit of a game-changer!
Erica,
So glad to see you here, my friend. I totally agree about seeing joy and happiness bubble forth in our children. It’s one of the greatest accelerants of happiness that I know.
Is there a possibility you could put the author discussions on YouTube? This alternative worked so well for me in the past. I was not able to hear the live Facebook live chat.