Why is happiness so difficult to find—and does God actually care whether we are happy?

On this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Jen Oshman to discuss her book Why Is It So Hard to Be Happy? Together, we examine the common – and in my opinion, somewhat incorrect – Christian distinction between happiness and joy, what the Bible means when it calls people “blessed,” and why Scripture presents God himself as happy and as the source of genuine happiness.

We also explore seven practices that psychologists associate with greater happiness, why those practices echo biblical wisdom, and what the Apostle Paul discovered that surpasses them all. According to Paul, even the best circumstances, achievements, and habits cannot compare with the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ and being found in him.

Is God indifferent to our happiness—or is he eager to make us happy in himself?

Jen Oshman is an author, speaker, and former missionary in Japan and the Czech Republic. Learn more about her work at jenoshman.com.

In this episode:

• Why Christians should be the happiest people
• What happiness actually is
• Whether happiness and joy are truly different
• Why makarios can be translated “happy”
• What psychology gets right about human flourishing
• Why good habits cannot satisfy our deepest longings
• How expectations contribute to disappointment

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Does God Care About Your Happiness? – with Jen Oshman – Theology for the People

Why is happiness so difficult to find—and does God actually care whether we are happy?Jen Oshman joins Nick Cady to discuss her book Why Is It So Hard to Be Happy? Together, they examine the common Christian distinction between happiness and joy, what the Bible means when it calls people “blessed,” and why Scripture presents God himself as the source of genuine happiness.They also explore seven practices that psychologists associate with greater happiness, why those practices echo biblical wisdom, and what the Apostle Paul discovered that surpasses them all. According to Paul, even the best circumstances, achievements, and habits cannot compare with the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ and being found in him.Is God indifferent to our happiness—or is he eager to make us happy in himself?Jen Oshman is an author, speaker, and former missionary in Japan and the Czech Republic. Learn more about her work at jenoshman.com.In this episode:What happiness actually isWhether happiness and joy are truly differentWhy makarios can be translated “happy”What psychology gets right about human flourishingWhy good habits cannot satisfy our deepest longingsHow expectations contribute to disappointmentWhy Christians should be the happiest people

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