An Independent Happiness

The word blessed comes from the Greek word makarios, which refers to the kind of happiness that is self-contained. When we see the word blessed used in the New Testament, that is the happiness it’s referring to.

Yet sometimes in our lives, our happiness is not self-contained. Rather, it is contingent on good things happening. We think that if we could just get that raise at work, we would be happy. When something fun or exciting is happening, then we’re happy. But when we don’t get that raise at work or when we get some bad news, we are not happy. In those circumstances, our happiness depends on good things happening.

But blessed is a different kind of word. Regardless of what is taking place circumstantially, you are blessed. That’s the idea of makarios.

God wants to bless you. Jesus said, "So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

When I was raising my two sons, especially my first son, Christopher, I kind of spoiled them. I agree with Dr. James Dobson’s statement that parents owe their first child an apology. I would just randomly buy toys for them. I would say, "Let’s go to the toy store." It wasn’t a birthday or Christmas. We would look around, and then we would end up buying a big toy. That is how I spoiled my children, and I suppose that is the privilege of a parent. (I’m not advocating it, but I am saying that I did this.)

If you are a child of God, then know this: God loves to bless His children. And here is something else to remember: God wants to bless you even more than you want to be blessed. Isn’t that great to know?