A biblical framework for living a grounded, hopeful and genuinely happy life.
Everyone wants to be happy, and we all pursue happiness in different ways. Some people are thrill-seekers; others are homebodies. Some people are loners; others love big families or communities. Some people express things creatively; others consume what is created. Some sing; others listen to music. Whatever we find happiness in, we are united by our desire for work that matters and relationships that fulfil.
As Christians, we often fall into the trap of basing our hopes on earthly things, even when we know they only make us happy for a short time. But how are we to experience happiness in this life? How do we avoid expecting too much of earthly things and being disappointed, or expecting too little and becoming cynics?
In this book, recovering cynic Barnabas Piper helps us to throw off both the unrealistic expectations that end in disappointment and the guilty sense that Christians are not meant to have fun. He shows how having a clear view of the reality of the fall and the promise of redemption frees us to live a life that's grounded, hopeful and genuinely happy.
1. The American Dream
2. Expecting Too Little, Too Much, and Just Right
3. Hanging Happiness on the Right Hooks
4. We Live Cursed
5. Deal in Reality
6. Every Good and Perfect (and Fun) Gift
7. In This Life There Will Be Trouble
8. Don't Fear the Reaper
9. Pleasures Now and Forevermore
10. Happiness vs Holiness
11. The Pleasure of the Promise
12. Grounded Happiness
13. Finding Happiness
| Contributors | Barnabas Piper, Randy Alcorn |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784985462 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | September 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
I grew up believing and repeating the mantra that God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness. But that idea reduces both holiness and happiness. The more profound truth, which Barnabas Piper so capably puts forth in this engaging and accessible book, is that growth in genuine holiness gives us the freedom to pursue profound and eternal happiness.
It takes a bold soul to talk about happiness these days. What is it? Can we attain it? Is it ok to desire it? Will it last? Perhaps most important of all, does God want us to be happy? Barnabas Piper accepts the challenge to answer such questions and does a remarkably good job of it. There is an “earthy” realism in this book that is also profoundly spiritual and biblical. In speaking of happiness, Piper isn’t naïve, nor is he oblivious to heartache, disappointment, and pain. But he is confident in the goodness of God and the trustworthy nature of his promises. Did reading this book make me happy? Well, yes, it did! Highly recommended.
Who of us doesn’t want to be happy? But happiness is hard to find and hard to hold on to. Barnabas Piper’s new book, guides us gently away from frowning religiosity and away from giggly frivolity. Barnabas helps us toward Jesus, who overflows with happiness on offer to disappointed people who are trying to figure life out—which is every one of us.
I enjoyed the clarity and simplicity Barnabas had to share his ideas, and that he point you to the fountain of life: Jesus. I enjoy audiobooks most when the audio is recorded by the author, everything changes when they add their own tone and style (you can find it in ONE Audiobooks). It is very uplifting to listen an author, their process and vulnerability while writing. Thank you, Barnabas. Something happened while I was reading. I´m going through several processes in my life and for some reason, I wanted to read your book. I had several "aha" moments deep thoughts around your ideas, and I´m thankful for it because you ignited those, it was very helpful. I really like it when someone shares his voice even when they come from a family with other authors and that may be intimidating. I can relate in many things. I´m amazed how you were able to overcome all the trash people throws after a divorce, or comparison, (even when they don´t know you or know how hard it is to start again). You have keep going and I admire that, it is a great example to me in several other areas. I had never ever read about "Evangeliguilt", but it was kind of fun to read about it and also helpful to know how to "call" it (I´m not sure if you created or not the word). As I read/heard your content I was encouraged to keep my eyes on Jesus, leave behind all the burdens, to carry on with the best attitude and thankfulness no matter what, keep going even if I fall, not to think everything is said and done, and to remember the Word and Love of God is forever. Holiness and happiness coexist. We must show it.
If you are a fan of Piper’s previous works, you will not be disappointed. Even more so, this book offers a timely message during the craziness of this year. He addresses the varied degrees of expectations and explores both high expectations and having no expectations. In turn, he explains and encourages the reader to define expectations by truth.
In one of my favorite quotes from the book, Piper wrote, “Our incomplete, marred, temporary happiness looks ahead to that day. But being incomplete, marred, and temporary doesn’t make it a farce. In Jesus our happiness is deep and real, even as we face the troubles of life.”
As with previous books, it is clear that Piper’s own experiences, struggles, and questions are driving his writing. In every line of the book, I could feel the passion behind the pen. There is a special comfort in reading words written out of purpose rather than for the sake of a new publication.
“Dreams are the wishes our hearts make but our hearts are not reliable guides.”
Piper sets out from the beginning to help address our deepest desires and needs.
One of my favorite chapters in the book shows that expecting lasting happiness from sinful or temporal things will never truly satisfy. Even expecting the wrong things from God will lead to unhappiness.
Piper builds upon deep theological truths from scripture and other Christian authors and applies them practically. He uses his own experiences to help readers have a better grasp and better application for their own lives.
Piper’s book, combines biblical truth with practical wisdom and personal experiences, even adding pop cultural references to help us better understand how true happiness is possible.
Happiness is attainable and Piper helps direct us to the right sign posts to guide us in this journey of life. Piper helps us to see down the paths that lead nowhere good and points us to those that lead to everlasting joy and a day-to-day life with hope and happiness. Excellent and easy read with deep truths pointing us to Christ.
This book is extremely encouraging and points you to Jesus!
Does God really only care about our holiness and not our happiness? In Hoping for Happiness @barnabaswpiper reconstructs biblical happiness and shows us how God actually wants us to be happy. In this quick and surprisingly transparent read, we are warned of many “weak hooks” we often hang our happiness on, but we’re also given promise after promise made by Jesus that produces authentic happiness in our hearts. Our world is often a sad place, but this book points us to the source of true happiness-Jesus.
