Unfortunately, the world’s characterization of unhappy believers is too often correct. I see too many long-faced Christians who seem continuously angry, disillusioned, and defensive over politics and the infringement of their rights.

My wife led a women’s Bible study group in discussing a lesson she’d written about the happiness of Jesus. One woman who’d grown up as a churchgoer was startled. She shared how horrified she’d once been to see a picture of Jesus smiling. Why? Because she believed it was blasphemous to make Jesus appear happy!

I think the very fact that He’s unhappy with sin is an indicator that sin is what robs people of happiness. So He’s happy with that which is not only in conformity to His holy standards, but also that which is in conformity to His happiness and delight.

In December 2015, Randy Alcorn was a guest on the Calvinist Batman & Friends Podcast. In this clip, Randy talks about distinguishing between the words "happy" and "blessed," in different parts of Scripture. 

In this interview with Perry Atkins of Dove TV, Randy Alcorn talks about if God wants us to be happy. For more information, check out Randy's Happiness book.

Author Randy Alcorn addresses the staff of Faithlife, and shares about God's offer of happiness and joy in Jesus Christ. October 2015.

In this interview with Susie Larson on her Live the Promise show, Randy Alcorn explains how the word blessed has a lot more to do with happiness than most Christians realize.

Randy Alcorn quotes Jonathan Edwards who asserted that what we see of God in others will bring us the greatest delight. God is our greatest "happy making sight." Seeing Him is our greatest pleasure. This is what it means to be blessed. However, we must remember that when we are in sin, seeing God will not make us happy, but rather terrified by His greatness. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Blaise Pascal wrote this, and I think it’s very insightful: "All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end."