Be Happy!

News Release: 28 April 2010

In this month's issue of Inspire magazine Peter Graystone (Church Army and Christian Enquiry Agency) muses on the subject of happiness, and why some Christians often appear not to enjoy life.

"I asked someone from church, 'Are you happy?' She reacted like she had bumped into a lamppost. 'No' she said, 'but as a Christian you're not meant to be happy, are you? Instead, I try my hardest to be joyful.'

'What's the difference?' I asked. I sensed her becoming tearful. A lack of happiness and a lack of joy are just as miserable as each other in a Christian life. But sometimes Christians feel confused or guilty that they do not have the happiness they believe God should be bringing them, so they invent 'joy' as an alternative - gritting their teeth as they declare how hard they strive to achieve it.

Last year I wrote a book called Be Happy! because I want people to go through life with a real sense of contentment. That is why I have put my faith in following Jesus Christ. It is my belief that going through life accompanied by the living God can make you a happier person. Woman, man, child … you!"

Read the full article at the Inspire page.