Where can you find true Happiness ?

 

Where Can You Find True Happiness?

True happiness isn’t something we achieve or earn or stumble into by accident.
It’s something rooted in who we belong to, not what we have.

1. True happiness begins with God.

Every desire you have—for love, meaning, peace, purpose—was placed in your heart by the One who made you.
Only He can fill it.

Psalm 16:11 says it clearly:
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Not temporary happiness.
Not emotional highs.
But fullness.

2. True happiness grows when your life aligns with His purpose.

When you walk with Him, listen to Him, surrender to Him, happiness becomes more than a feeling.
It becomes a fruit—steady, quiet, resilient—even during pain.

Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

This joy doesn’t depend on circumstances; it flows from relationship.

3. True happiness comes from knowing you are deeply loved.

Loved enough to be created from nothing.
Loved enough that Christ took the cross for you.
Loved enough that you are constantly pursued, guided, protected, and treasured.

That kind of love is not fragile.
It doesn’t fail.
It doesn’t abandon.
And it is where happiness takes root.

4. True happiness is found when your soul rests.

Not in striving.
Not in comparing.
Not in achieving.
But in resting in Him.

Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest → Peace → Joy → Happiness.

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In one sentence:

True happiness is found in the presence of God, in the love of Christ, and in a life lived close to Him.

Flummoxed!!!

I find myself flummoxed by two profound thoughts, and I simply want to write them down here. I’ll talk more about them later.

Recently, I started reading A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it. But as I read, something even deeper has been stirring in my heart.

What amazes me most is how great God truly is. I feel humbled and overwhelmed by His power, His brilliance, and His absolute sovereignty. Who are we, really, that such a mighty God would care to create us at all? That question alone is enough to stop me in my tracks—but I’ll save that reflection for another time.

For now, I keep returning to the clues the Bible gives us about the mystery of creation. Every answer we seek is already there. Scripture tells us plainly that God created the universe from nothing—and remarkably, this is the same conclusion modern science has reached after centuries of study.

But then comes the thought that leaves me speechless.

This same Almighty God, who spoke galaxies into existence, chose to come down among us, and to die on a cross to save us—frail, imperfect, often insignificant humans—from our sins, so that we could have eternal life. That alone reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

Just as we cannot fully comprehend the creation of the universe, we cannot begin to comprehend the limitless love of God. Both leave me in awe.

📖 Verses That Explicitly Teach Creation From Nothing (Creatio ex Nihilo)

These passages directly say that the universe was created when nothing existed.

1. Hebrews 11:3

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
— Clear statement that visible creation did not come from pre-existing matter.

2. 2 Maccabees 7:28 (Deuterocanonical / Catholic, Orthodox Bible)

“…recognize that God made them out of nothing and the human race as well.”
— Most explicit verse in the entire biblical tradition.

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📖 Verses Strongly Teaching God as Sole Creator (Implying Creation From Nothing)

These verses describe God creating alone, with no pre-existing materials, implying ex nihilo.

3. Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Hebrew baraʼ is used exclusively for God creating; context shows nothing pre-existed.

4. John 1:3

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.”
— Absolute statement: everything that exists was made by God.

5. Colossians 1:16–17

“For in Him all things were created… all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
— Stresses universality; God is the source of existence itself.

6. Romans 4:17

“…God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”
— God's creative power includes calling non-existent things into being.

 

 

 

 

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📖 Verses Affirming God Alone Created Everything (No Other Source)

7. Isaiah 44:24

“I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself.”
— God acts alone; no materials or helpers.

8. Isaiah 45:12

“I made the earth and created mankind on it; My own hands stretched out the heavens.”

9. Isaiah 40:28

“The LORD is the everlasting God… the Creator of the ends of the earth.”

10. Nehemiah 9:6

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that is in them.”

11. Psalm 33:6, 9

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made… For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.”
— Shows creation by speech alone, not materials.

12. Psalm 148:5

“…for He commanded and they were created.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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📖 Verses About God Creating the Heavens, Earth, and Everything In Them

13. Revelation 4:11

“You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

14. Revelation 10:6

“…by Him who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it…”

15. Jeremiah 10:12

“It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom.”

16. Jeremiah 32:17

“Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power…”

17. Proverbs 8:22–31

— Poetic description of God creating everything when nothing existed yet.

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📖 Verses About God Creating Even the Things Humans Cannot See

18. Colossians 1:16

“…things visible and invisible…”
— God created spiritual and material realms → supports creation from nothing.

19. Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were born… from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

20. Job 26:7

“He hangs the earth on nothing.”
— Emphasizes God’s unique creative ability.

 

Love that is hard to understand

It needs to be felt

Gods Love.

The Love of God, Just baffles me. It defies everything. A creator, who will give his life for us ? It is beyond human comprehension.

There are a few questions, That people cannot understand. If God loves me so much, why i am facing these difficulties ? If God loves me so much why is he putting me through this ?.

If that is the question, that is keeping you away from understanding Gods love, Let me put a small thought here.

Imagine you are the creator of a robot. You will like it of course, But if you are going to remodel it, you will pull it apart for that purpose. Your thoughts are far higher and far greater than what the robot can imagine. In the same way, when God allows trouble, or hardship in your lives, it is not because he loves you less, it is for a purpose and for a good purpose for sure. Just that we will never ever live to understand it. Because the life that we know of, does not encompass our life lived in this world, it also accounts for the life after death. We surely cannot understand how it all fits in the big picture. So just Trust God, that what he is doing is good for you, even though it is hard now.

Please do not question Gods Love.

This is an example from my life.

There was a time in my life when everything was amazing, i had no worries and lived a very joyful life. I walked close to God, and one day i said to him, no matter what, i will never forget the kind of love you have for me, it is just so amazing.

Then later on i faced so many difficulties, and I questioned God on his love. I felt that he was away from me, and that maybe he did not like me anymore. Because all around me was pure darkness. I couldnt find anything Good around me. I questioned Gods presence, because i did not feel it. I did not feel Gods love, like i once felt. 

Later did I know, that God had always been with me, irrespective of all the troubles i faced.

I dont know the reason for all that. But Gods purpose is great. He later revealed this verse to me, when i was recounting the happenings in my life and what a pain it had been. 

James 1: 12

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

What does God like to see in us ?

        

    We were in the process of purchasing a house, so I was pondering about different places, the cost of houses in various regions, and how location and income affect the value of a house. These thoughts occupied my mind and instilled a sense of unrest within me.

       

     I wanted to talk to Jesus for a while, not for worldly blessings, but because He gives peace that nothing in this world can compare to.

 I heated up some food, and settled down next to a window. There was a kind of peace I hadn't felt in a long time. I was thinking about places and people, watching a few folks walking by and the trees.

 A thought came to my mind: Isn't this all created by God? Then, as I diverted my attention to the people going about their work, I felt that God asks us to care for and love others as we love ourselves. I wondered, what does God see in each of us? We are all created equal, but God has given talent, gifts, wealth, joy, and everything else in a dispersed manner to each of us. 

What does He see in each of us? When I thought about the people walking by, some might be good, some not so good, some happy, and some sad. But what would capture God's attention? What is He looking for? Does anyone in this world get overlooked by God? No, never.

 How do I know? Because the Bible tells us that long ago, God looked at the world and found only Noah to be a good man in His eyes. God was not pleased with anyone else. So, does wealth or fame or anything else really matter? The only thing that matters is the fear of the Lord, if you fear the Lord, you will also have a closer walk with him everyday. That is what impresses the Creator who has all the power and control in this world. 

 You might fear the Lord and... I was going to say that you might fear the Lord but not have all the blessings. But before I could say it, a verse came to memory. I thank God for revealing it.

 Psalm 34: 9-10  

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 

 Psalm 147:10,11

 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; 

11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Shepherd

Understanding John 10

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

 Jesus says, "I am the Good shepherd (First week of December

We will need to look closely into this.

What does a shepherd do ?

He cares for his flock. But unlike the shepherd whom we see. Jesus says, the Good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. 

Few points to ponder.

Here the people, who are us. We are likened to a sheep and Jesus is the shepherd. We should first understand why we are likened to a sheep.

Firstly the sheep does not know anything at all. The only thing a sheep really needs to do is to pay attention to the shepherd and to obey his commands. Secondly the sheep blindly has to trust the shepherd to be safe.

This makes perfect sense, we all are indeed like sheep in the eyes of God. So what does God want of us really. The expectation is not much, just obey his commands, which we often fail to keep and so we stray away and then God comes seeking for us and rescues us time and again. Next, we often fail to trust God, that he will take good care of us. And we often think that we are going to achieve using our own strength. Just ask god for help and trust that he will work it out for us.

There is more to it. Jesus says, that he is the gate, and no one can enter the sheep pen without him. So if anyone claims to say that they will be able to get you the eternal life, then it is fake.

There is no other way. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Life

Finally, I am actually, for the first time, talking about Life, which is the title of this very blog.

I often times wonder, why we inherently like good qualities in a person and detest the bad guy. For example, you watch a movie, it is a fight between good and evil, and every one of the audience support the Good, and very much wish that evil character would face a fateful end and good triumphs. Why is that? , what makes us all think the same way ?. We are all unanimous in that one accord.

 

To understand this, we have the answer right in the bible, so clearly outlined for us.

John 1: 1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

So there are may truths with this verse. For now we will just focus on the life aspect here.

For context, In all these verses we see that Jesus is the word, and he was there before the beginning of the world. And all these verses talks about God and the other co creator who is also the same God who is God in a different form, who took human likeness, who is Jesus. We will talk more about that in later posts. (Verse 9 - 13 gives more information on that)

For now lets focus on verse 4 : In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

We all know what life is, how ? because we loose it when we die, so some may call it the spirit, the inner being, which dwells within the body. So the inner being within the body is life, which we all know, and it is this life within us which decides which is good an evil. and this inner life within each of us, came from God !. So the source is one, we are all derived from God. That explains why we all unanimously support Good, why we all have Love within us.

This life is light !. No wonder our life supports good, and our hearts align towards it. Our life (a part of God) is the light, and it shines in the darkness, meaning each of us is fighting against the darkness. Meaning, there is something other than the life (light) we see in this world which is the darkness. We need to be aware of this.

But there is one re assurance, we see in verse 5, "and the darkness has not overcome[a] it." The darkness has not overcome it. Even though our earthly life has battles with this supernatural darkness which is around us. The light has overcome it.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Note :

Was it a co incidence, that the verse of the day in bible gateway, talks about the same verse i wanted to talk about ? and this verse was speaking to me over and over this week. God wants to communicate a profound truth to us.

About Success.

 There was a time in my life,  back inn 2007, when I graduated from college, I thought i was Sinless and believed that, I met the criteria to see God. Since the verse says, blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. 

This was total atrocity which i realize now. I was not sinless at that time, which i can clearly see now. Back then even though i claimed to be pure, I did not realize that I was giving more importance to academic excellence, over every thing else. Thought that was the most crucial thing for anyone. At a point i even told point blank to a good guy that i value all his goodness, but if only he had studied a bit differently like Engineering. I was repaid so badly for that sin of mine.

In 2024 I finally came to realize, what my sin was. It took a lot of beating up and I learnt it the very hard way. In the span of time, as i navigated through the rough terrain of life, I committed many sins, It is easier to be good in a good and safe atmosphere and very challenging in a challenging environment.

Now i know the following, The bible has clearly said this in many places.

for example

God says,

"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the lord do all these things.

Isaiah 45:7

So basically, it is not a persons academic excellence or any other factor that defines them or their life, it is way lot more than that. Simply put it is in Gods hands to decide what happens with ones life. And there is nothing else to it.

So, the bible says,

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.