Happiness

By: Randy Alcorn

Narrated by: Randy Alcorn

Length: 22 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Christians are supposed to be happy. In fact we are supposed to radiate joy, peace, and contentment that are so unmistakable and so attractive that others are naturally drawn to us because they want what we have. And yet, in today's culture, the vast majority of Christians are perceived as angry, judgmental people who don't seem to derive any joy from life whatsoever. So why aren't we happy?

Unfortunately, many Christians are taught early on that God doesn't want us to be happy (he wants us to be holy). In fact many Christians are laboring under the false notion that God himself is not happy. But nothing could be further from the truth! God does want us to be happy. The Bible is filled with verses that prove that ours is a happy, joy-filled god who not only loves celebrations but also desperately wants his children to be happy. Why else would he go to the lengths he did to ensure our eternal happiness in his presence? We know that we will experience unimaginable joy and happiness in heaven, but that doesn't mean we can't also experience joy and happiness here on earth.

In Happiness, noted theologian Randy Alcorn dispels centuries of misconceptions about happiness and provides indisputable proof that God not only wants us to be happy, he commands it. The most definitive study on the subject of happiness to date, this book is a paradigm-shifting wake-up call for the church and Christians everywhere.

©2015 Randy Alcorn (P)2015 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Life Changing

Would you consider the audio edition of Happiness to be better than the print version?

There are pros and cons. I liked having the audio version because the book is very long and I could take it with me this way. I liked listening to Randy Alcorn read it, the passion he has for the subject is amazing. The con is I will have to go back to my bookmarks and right some stuff down. He gives a lot of verses (good thing) and I want to look some of them up.

What did you like best about this story?

This book changed my view of God and life. It sounds so melodramatic to say that, but it is true. I have been guilty of saying, "God wants us to do the right thing, our happiness doesn't matter." This book made me re-think that statement and realized God does care about our happiness, which is huge to me on how I view Him. I now know that God wants us to do the right thing and the right thing leads to our greatest happiness.

What does Randy Alcorn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Passion for the subject matter.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but at the length of it, it was impossible to do so.

Any additional comments?

This book was lengthy and in some places maybe even a little too lengthy, yet it was important for the author to provide a lot of scripture to back up what he was saying so maybe not.
At the end of the day though, it didn't matter. This book is now in my top five non-fiction Christian books. My relationship with God is stronger than it was before reading it, I feel I know Him better and I love Him more.
Thank you Mr. Alcorn for another phenomenal book.

God is good and God is happy, and he wants us to be happy 

This book drove home the point that I already knew: that God is good, and God is happy, and he wants us to be happy in Him!

Wanna be happy?

The title of this book intrigued me. Who would not want to be more happy? Is God happy? How can we find the happiness we are all looking for? I was not disappointed. Randy Alcorn's premise, drawn from scripture and church history, is that God himself IS happy and wants us to be happy too! The book helps explain and expound this idea. So glad I listened. Worth every minute!

Long but complete

After reading a few books by Alcorn, this one is different. Money Posessions and eternity could be 50-100 pages less. Safely Home is one of the best books about living in China (my home for 2 yrs).

All this to say, Alcorn writes differently here... Instead of a well written devotional book like MP&E, he uses so many Biblical examples it feels rather exhaustive. Since he is challenging a common belief that "God wants us to be holy, not happy", I appreciate his seeming "overuse" (if possible) of the Bible.

At 22 hrs, it is hopefully obvious not a short or simple book. It makes my brain hurt to think I'll read this again but his points are solid and use of scripture: exhaustive.

As one who has said personally on more than one occasion: God wants us to be joyful, not happy, this book was helpful correction of what the Bible says.

Read this book, just feel free to take breaks, knowing that it is rather exhaustive.

Fantastic

This books was fanatic. I found some points a bit repetitive but necessary in order to rewire the way I think about God and Christian living. Transformational.

life changing

i read many books in 2016 but i will never forget this one.i went to bible school and there is very little that feels like brand new or life changing material... this was it for me.

Worldview Changing

I've been studying theology for the last ten years, and have often fell into the frozen-chosen trap that speaks so loudly against the prosperity gospel that my view of God's omnibenevolence is diminished.

This book has pointed me to multiple scriptural references that has given me greater future hope and temporal happiness. God does want us to be happy, having contentment and gratefulness for the many blessings we now have, hope for future blessings, and an eternal perspective that sees current trials as insignificant in the perspective of eternal happiness in the presence of Jesus. I'm very thankful for this book.

Must read for anyone seeking real happiness!

Such a great resource. I loved every chapter in this book. There is so much truth to the words said!

Good content but much too long!

I really appreciate and value how thorough Randy Alcorn is, but this book could have easily been summed up in an essay. It seemed repetitive and was just too much.

Good theory just way too long

theory in this book is very good but it gets very repetitive and could have been a third of this length