There is a difference in feeling happy and feeling a deep sense of spiritual contentment. They can run concurrently but they are not the same. Happiness is mostly a result of favorable circumstances or positive experiences we have with people. Spiritual contentment is experienced when we are in right relationship with God. There are many imitations and false narratives that promise spiritual contentment that dismiss or deemphasize our relationship with God. In which over time they leave us empty yet we may have thought they were valid at one time. Abiding spiritual contentment is rooted in our relationship with God.
Happiness is not the ultimate goal for the People of Faith. Deep spiritual contentment is our highest goal. Faith driven people in the Scriptures were happy yet they were unhappy at times. But they were always seeking and attaining spiritually contentment that comes from God alone. Patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph all had familial challenges. Job suffered loss and great distress and disappointment. David had many troubles; he was hunted by Saul and exiled for about 10 years. Daniel was thrown into a lions den. Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale. Jesus came unto His own and His own received him not. The ultimate emotional assault was the cross. For even when unhappy times overwhelm us spiritual contentment is possible because of our relationship with God and those who are willing to encourage our faith.
Written By Joseph Hutchison