What do you need to be happy?

The research is complete. The results are in. We now know the location of the happiest place in the developed world. It's ... drum-roll please ... Australia. At least that's the findings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Australia ranks highest of all the nations under consideration when assessed on criteria such as income, health, safety and housing. Life expectancy there is about 82 years - approximately double some developing nations.

And if you're wondering, the United States ranks 6th - the UK, 10th.

Now, I love Australia. If you leave aside the grueling 23-hour flight between London and Sydney, I have adored visiting that beautiful country. Potentially, I could be convinced that it's the happiest place there is. And I don't for a moment doubt that many people do equate pleasure with a good standard of living and a functioning body. Health, wealth and happiness are the goals of so many in the world.

But the research seems to suggest that it's pretty much impossible to be happy unless you have health and wealth. And that could be one of the biggest deceptions of the developed world.

The apostle Paul had a rather different perspective. He said:

• Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.(Philippians 2:2)
• I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11)
• We were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you (2 Corinthians 7:13)

His sense of well-being came from the Lord and the encouragements that issued from the Christian community. He gave up high status and put his body through floggings, hunger and shipwrecks and yet rejoiced. He was imprisoned and yet felt privileged. He was, at times, reliant on the gifts of others to supply his basic needs but had a heart full of praise.

There are, of course, times when it is right for Christians to mourn and cry. No-one is suggesting that sudden loss of job or home or health is without its profound challenges. But let's also be wary about buying into the western lie that suggests that health and wealth have to be in the bag before we can know happiness. As Ephesians 1:3 encourages us: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We have all we need. And that is enough to put a sincere smile on our face and a deep song in our hearts.