Sometimes, we think happiness is about getting what we want, the job, the relationship, the freedom to live exactly how we choose. And sure, those things can feel great in the moment. But deep down, we all know that not everything that makes us happy is necessarily good for others, or even good for us in the long run.
We live in a world where instant pleasure is easy to chase. It’s tempting to center life around personal success or comfort. But faith nudges us to ask a bigger question, Is this bringing me closer to love, to truth, to what really matters? Because not every form of happiness brings peace. Some things feel good while slowly making us bitter, lonely, or disconnected.
God doesn’t ask us to avoid joy, far from it. But He teaches us to aim for lasting joy. The kind that grows when we love others well. When we forgive. When we choose what’s right, even when it’s not easy. The kind of joy that doesn’t just make us feel good, but makes the world a little brighter too.
Sometimes, real joy is found in sacrifice. In listening when we’d rather talk. In giving when we’re tired. In praying when we don’t have the answers. These moments don’t always feel exciting but they stretch our souls. They remind us we’re part of something bigger.
So maybe the goal isn’t just chasing what makes us happy. Maybe it’s learning to want the things that bring healing, hope, and goodness, to us, and to the world. That’s when our happiness and the world’s happiness begin to align. And that’s when, quietly, true joy starts to grow.
That way, your happiness feels full, real, and deeply connected to something bigger than yourself.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
