“Never Have I Ever!”

I recently observed a game being played called “Never Have I Ever.” It was both entertaining and revealing, as it showed that some people had done certain things while others had not. That said, here’s a statement that was not included in the game:

“Never have I ever counseled someone who said: ‘Please help, I’m too happy!’”

 People generally reach out for help with statements more like this:

 “If only _______, then I’d be happy.”

Can we personalize this? How we fill in that blank is revealing of what is ruling our hearts. It reveals what we believe is the source of happiness or the hindrance to it at any given moment. For example:

“If only my spouse would __________, then I would be happy.”

“If only my child would __________, then I would be happy.”

“If only I didn’t have to __________, then I would be happy.”

Do you see a pattern in such statements? One of two things (or both) must change in order for happiness to happen with such “if only” statements. Either my circumstances need to change or the other person needs to change. What is missing is an understanding that the source of true happiness is not rooted in our circumstances or horizontal relationships, but in God (Matthew 5:3–12). Ultimately, we lack happiness when we lose sight of who God is and what He is accomplishing in affliction and adversity (Romans 8:28–29).

“Never have I ever” remembered essential doctrines in the midst of afflictions and found them to be lacking as a ballast to my soul. “Never have I ever” studied Matthew Henry’s expansion of the Westminster Assembly’s Shorter Catechism and not been reminded of what true happiness is all about. If you are longing for happiness in all the wrong places or in people, may these catechism Q&A’s redirect you to long and live for the one who alone can give you fullness of joy (John 15:11). 

Q: Is God your chief good?

Yes: For happy is the people whose God is the Lord—Psalm 144:15.

Q: Is it your chief happiness then to have God's favor?

Yes: For in his favor is life—Psalm 30:5.

Q: Is that the most desirable good?

Yes: For his loving kindness is better than life—Psalm 63:3.

Q: Do you desire it above any good?

Yes: Lord, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us—Psalm 4:67.

Q: And should you give all diligence to make it sure?

Yes: Herein we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord—2 Corinthians 5:9.

Q: Is communion with God in grace here the best pleasure?

Yes: It is good for me to draw near to God—Psalm 73:28.

Q: Is the vision and fruition of God in glory hereafter the best portion?

Yes: For in his presence there is fullness of joy—Psalm 16:11.

Q: Will you therefore set your heart upon this chief good?

Yes: Lord, whom have I in Heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides you; when my flesh and my heart fail, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever—Psalm 73:25, 26.

“Never have I ever” been unhappy with how God keeps all of His promises and in how His every Word proves true (Hebrews 10:23; Proverbs 30:5). “Never have I ever” been unhappy that God showed His love for me, in that while still a sinner, Christ died for me, justified me by His blood, and saved me from the wrath of God (Romans 5:8–9). “Never have I ever” been unhappy that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord (Romans 8:39). Nor “never will I ever” suffer or sin again when my Savior finally appears and brings me to glory (1 John 3:1–3; John 14:2). Until then and in light of these things, I have more than sufficient reason to always and forever be happy all the day!