Happiness and Transformation

What is the use of studying transformation if it does not make us happy? Is happiness what God wants for us? We live in a world that keeps telling us happiness is around the corner. It is in the next big thing I am wanting. Until I get it and realize happiness from things is fleeting at best. While that seems obvious from scripture it is also proven in science. The following is based on research I have read on happiness:


I have done a fair amount of reading on “happiness” in studying the ways of the heart. Happiness is pretty much hardwired. To a great degree happiness is part of our personality and we have a happiness ‘set” point. Research show three things that affect happiness.

1. Ecstatic Happiness – that which comes from buying the thing we wanted, getting the partner we sought, sex, drugs, ice cream. The up side is happiness comes, but only lasts a short time. If we pursue the same thing to obtain the same level of happiness the next time it requires a little more of the same experience to get the same response….addiction is often the result.

2. Zone or flow Happiness – When we are doing that for which we believe we are called to do, have the skills to do, and gain great joy while doing it. There is a level of happiness that comes from fulfilling a dream based on who we are created to be.

3. Benevolence – ironically we are often most happy when we give of ourselves to someone or something without expectation of return. Think of the person on the street who is begging and the since of joy or happiness that comes from giving a donation. Why is it we have volunteers? There is a real since of happiness that comes from giving of ourselves and our resources to a cause bigger than ourselves without expectation of return.

Many of those who are part of the Positive Psychology movement write on and do research on happiness. One of my favorites is Sonja Lyubomirsky - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bloggers/sonja-lyubomirsky

See her article on money: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-money-buy-happiness

Happiness is a by-product of knowing who we are in Christ and being transformed in order to fulfill my calling (Eph. 2:10).  Our best chance at happiness is understanding that the more I am who God made me to be the greater the internal joy in fulfilling that purpose.

Be Happy, Be Transformed