The United States Declaration of Independence calls the U.S. government to fight for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But that “right” has wiggled its way into our Christian discipleship as well. If we are not finding happiness, we believe that God is displeased with us (or that he doesn’t exist). The formula usually goes like this: happy equals God must be with us; unhappy equals God must be mad at or displeased with us. But those formulas are incorrect, and we are called to change how we think about happiness.

1 Pet. 1:13-16 says,

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also must be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

God emphasizes holiness, not happiness. He doesn’t say, “Be happy, because I am happy.” Nor does he tell us, “Do good things and then I’ll make you happy.” Rather, he wants us to be holy, which might actually lead to true happiness. Let’s consider what these two terms mean.

Happiness is defined as the state of being happy. It means feeling pleasure, contentment, or well-being. When people are successful, safe, or lucky, they feel a sense of happiness. Happiness is an inner emotional quality as well as a state of mind. Holiness is different. It means being set apart for God’s glory and his purpose and will. It means that we no longer conform to our sinful desires or the patterns of this world but are transformed as our minds are made new (Rom. 12:1-2). It means that we are not searching for our own good, but instead we are searching for God’s good and the good of others.

Happiness is a feeling, but holiness is a choice. The feeling of happiness is based on emotions that can change like the wind, but holiness is about living God’s purpose every day as a dedicated act of worship. So, am I pursuing a feeling or living into my calling? Another question we might ask is, “Does God want us to be happy or holy?” The answer is “yes” because there is not a dichotomy between happiness and holiness in God’s eyes, but there is an order. Meaning, we are to pursue one and experience the other. Yet many (if not most) confuse which is pursued, and which is experienced.

We are called to pursue holy lives first: “Be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44; 1 Pet. 1:16). This unites us with the character and likeness of God, who is holy. Because we must start by living according to his character, his nature, and not our own. This is an active choice that requires work; it’s not something we passively experience.

God does want us to be happy. But we must understand that happiness is something we experience as we choose to pursue holiness. Not the other way around. Throughout the Bible, God refers to happiness as being blessed. But true blessedness can appear to run counter to what the world tells us will make us happy. We read a lot of passages about this in the Psalms for example:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. (Ps. 1:1-3)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Ps. 34:8-10)

These passages essentially tell us, “Happy are those who choose to pursue holiness!” Jesus speaks to this in his Sermon on the Mount: blessed or happy are those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are humble, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, are pure in heart, are peacemakers, and suffer because of righteousness. Why are they blessed? Why are they happy? Because they pursue holiness, not happiness. They pursue God, not self.

When we choose to pursue holiness, our lives are more truly blessed, happy, content, and filled. We are not seeking happiness in what the world defines as happiness, nor are we simply seeking our own desires or pleasures. Instead we choose to pursue God—we choose holiness—and in doing so we find true blessedness. We are no longer anxious but rejoice always and live in the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4-7).

True happiness is only experienced in true holiness. You cannot separate the two, but you can choose to pursue the wrong thing. Choose the pursuit of holiness over the pursuit of happiness. Happiness will then be something you experience as you live in holiness (the character, nature, and likeness of God). May we all choose the right pursuit.