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Happiness: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Make It Last Forever
A Comprehensive Study of Happiness for the Everyday Believer
Happiness is a constant pursuit. Our bookshelves can testify. They overflow with self-help resources from a variety of perspectives, each insisting it holds the secret to this deeply human desire. Secular options offer psychological insights but fail to recognize that true satisfaction is only found in Christ, while Christian resources may offer pastoral theology but can lack practical, science-backed guidance for the everyday believer.
Andrew Wilson uniquely weaves biblical, theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological methods to answer 6 major questions about human flourishing in our broken world. Drawing on the greatest thinkers across Scripture and science, readers get a guide that is theologically clear, intellectually robust, and practically helpful. It dismantles myths common in our culture and our churches and explores the deepest desires of both our hearts and our happy God—for us to find joy in him!
Offers a Holistic Approach to Studying Uniquely integrates biblical and pastoral, theological and philosophical, and psychological and sociological fields to offer a comprehensive understanding of human flourishing Addresses Common Challenges myths prevalent in secular society and the evangelical tradition Accessible Organizes material into 6 questions, making it suitable for personal enrichment, small groups, preachers, and Bible teachers
Happiness is a constant pursuit. Our bookshelves can testify. They overflow with self-help resources from a variety of perspectives, each insisting it holds the secret to this deeply human desire. Secular options offer psychological insights but fail to recognize that true satisfaction is only found in Christ, while Christian resources may offer pastoral theology but can lack practical, science-backed guidance for the everyday believer.
Andrew Wilson uniquely weaves biblical, theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological methods to answer 6 major questions about human flourishing in our broken world. Drawing on the greatest thinkers across Scripture and science, readers get a guide that is theologically clear, intellectually robust, and practically helpful. It dismantles myths common in our culture and our churches and explores the deepest desires of both our hearts and our happy God—for us to find joy in him!
Offers a Holistic Approach to Studying Uniquely integrates biblical and pastoral, theological and philosophical, and psychological and sociological fields to offer a comprehensive understanding of human flourishing Addresses Common Challenges myths prevalent in secular society and the evangelical tradition Accessible Organizes material into 6 questions, making it suitable for personal enrichment, small groups, preachers, and Bible teachers
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2026
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August 18, 2026When I read the first sentence in Andrew Wilson’s book, Happiness, I had a feeling it would become one of the best books of 2026:
Wilson’s thesis is bold and unencumbered: “The God who created the world wants you to experience deep, uninhibited, raucous, and eternal joy—and if you want that too, then ultimately you will.”
Tragically, the church is filled with people who not only disagree with the idea of God-ordained happiness; they maintain this notion is rank heresy. Wilson sets out to prove them wrong, and he does it with biblical muscle and a smile on his face!
The author builds his case for happiness by appealing to the happiest being in the cosmos. “God is the happiest being in existence,” writes Wilson. He appeals to numerous biblical texts that point to God who rejoices over his people (Isa. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17). He argues with Jonathan Edwards that God is happy in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. Indeed, “God delights in absolutely everything he does … He is happy in himself, in his people, and in everything he does” (Ps. 115:3).
Happiness is possible for us, then, because God is happy. In fact, “Sin results from not seeking your pleasure enough rather than seeking it too much.” Some readers will detect the influence of John Piper’s Christian hedonism in Wilson’s framework. “God is happy,” writes Wilson, “and it turns out that becoming like him, glorifying him, entering his kingdom, overcoming sin, and imitating Jesus all involve us being happy as well. For the fruit of the Spirit is joy.”
The remainder of Happiness is a theological tour de force that gradually builds upon Wilson’s argument, which should satisfy skeptics and dour Christians. He explains the contours of happiness, responds to caricatures of happiness, and interacts with popular notions of happiness that have emerged in popular psychology.
The concluding chapter is worth the price of the book, as the prescription for happiness is offered. Readers are challenged to delight in God, rejoice in God, and pay honor to the happiest Being in the cosmos. Wise pastoral counsel is offered to anyone ready and willing to pursue a life of happiness.
I urge motivated readers to take a deep dive into this little book with a highlighter and an open Bible. Happiness by Andrew Wilson will encourage you and challenge assumptions, leaving you encouraged and equipped to live the Christian life with bold resolve. You’ll be happy you read it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
God wants you to be happy.
Wilson’s thesis is bold and unencumbered: “The God who created the world wants you to experience deep, uninhibited, raucous, and eternal joy—and if you want that too, then ultimately you will.”
Tragically, the church is filled with people who not only disagree with the idea of God-ordained happiness; they maintain this notion is rank heresy. Wilson sets out to prove them wrong, and he does it with biblical muscle and a smile on his face!
The author builds his case for happiness by appealing to the happiest being in the cosmos. “God is the happiest being in existence,” writes Wilson. He appeals to numerous biblical texts that point to God who rejoices over his people (Isa. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17). He argues with Jonathan Edwards that God is happy in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. Indeed, “God delights in absolutely everything he does … He is happy in himself, in his people, and in everything he does” (Ps. 115:3).
Happiness is possible for us, then, because God is happy. In fact, “Sin results from not seeking your pleasure enough rather than seeking it too much.” Some readers will detect the influence of John Piper’s Christian hedonism in Wilson’s framework. “God is happy,” writes Wilson, “and it turns out that becoming like him, glorifying him, entering his kingdom, overcoming sin, and imitating Jesus all involve us being happy as well. For the fruit of the Spirit is joy.”
The remainder of Happiness is a theological tour de force that gradually builds upon Wilson’s argument, which should satisfy skeptics and dour Christians. He explains the contours of happiness, responds to caricatures of happiness, and interacts with popular notions of happiness that have emerged in popular psychology.
The concluding chapter is worth the price of the book, as the prescription for happiness is offered. Readers are challenged to delight in God, rejoice in God, and pay honor to the happiest Being in the cosmos. Wise pastoral counsel is offered to anyone ready and willing to pursue a life of happiness.
I urge motivated readers to take a deep dive into this little book with a highlighter and an open Bible. Happiness by Andrew Wilson will encourage you and challenge assumptions, leaving you encouraged and equipped to live the Christian life with bold resolve. You’ll be happy you read it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
August 7, 2026
Twice in a week did this fella make me weep as he describes God. Newday’s walk through of a wedding ceremony as pointing to Christ and the church - the waiting groom looking down the aisle longingly. And now this. Short, but so sweet. The descriptions of the world being more beautiful that it needed to be… too good. And it all points, as the book does, to God. The happiest one.
Superb.
Superb.
August 25, 2026
Bullseye.
September 28, 2026
Good practical, pastoral advice, as well as good scripture references.
September 26, 2026
Reading this book about happiness left me feeling... happy.
Superfluous happiness points to a joy-creator. Deep and lasting enjoyment comes from the source of all joy. Happiness has a 'where' and it's in the presence of God.
This is a really good book. Maybe the best I've read this year.
Superfluous happiness points to a joy-creator. Deep and lasting enjoyment comes from the source of all joy. Happiness has a 'where' and it's in the presence of God.
This is a really good book. Maybe the best I've read this year.
September 19, 2026
A delightful read.
Read
September 23, 2026I could listen to Andrew Wilson teach all day long! I need a paper copy to re read - really loved the wholistic perspectives offered through various disciplines. Refreshed by the ties to the Psalms, Gospels, Ecclesiastes, and the Beautitudes ❤️
September 15, 2026
“If God's presence is a place of "fullness of joy" (Ps. 16:11), and if Jesus is the one in whom we find God's presence perfectly dwelling John 1:14), then wherever Jesus is—whether in his physical body, in the bread and wine, or moving among his people by his Holy Spirit—we will find our joy being full. That is why the fruit of the Spirit is joy (Gal. 5:22). That is why the disciples were so exuberant on the day of Pentecost that people thought they were drunk (Acts 2:13). That is why the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation causes people to "rejoice and exult" (Rev. 19:7) so loudly that it sounds like an army, a waterfal, and a thunderstorm all at once (19:6). Wherever there is Jesus, there is joy.”
September 14, 2026
Spectacular!
September 17, 2026
I always finish an Andrew Wilson book feeling happier than I did before.
September 14, 2026
An interesting mix of some scripture and paper-back psychology.
Some good insights at the end.
Some good insights at the end.
September 8, 2026
God wants you to be happy.
He is the supremely happy being, the God who delights in being God. In his presence is fullness of joy. And his design is that his happiness is shared into his creation and with his human creatures.
This book is wonderful. Best read of 2026
He is the supremely happy being, the God who delights in being God. In his presence is fullness of joy. And his design is that his happiness is shared into his creation and with his human creatures.
This book is wonderful. Best read of 2026
September 3, 2026
3.5 stars (between good and very good)
This book was quite good, but this review is just going to be a collection of quotes from the book. I realize that’s rather lame and kinda lazy of me, and I apologize. My happiness comes from reading and not from writing. Of course if I keep rambling on like this it might start to feel like a legit review. Maybe one sentence more? Ok, two.
Anyway, the first quote doubles as a summary of the book.
“How can we increase our joy? What sorts of things can we do and what sorts of people can we become such that our lives are increasingly colored by deep and lasting happiness?
“The previous chapters have pointed to a number of answers. Become more like God (chap. 1). Prioritize deeper forms of happiness over shallower ones (chap. 2). Know yourself, and use the body to stir the soul, the rider to train the elephant, the Spirit to mortify the flesh, and the daily decisions you make to help your brain (chap. 3). Work with the grain of time, from the time of day/month/year to the season of life you are in, and reflect on the certain realities of death and resurrection (chap. 4). Most importantly, seek the place of greatest joy, which is the presence of God—particularly as he dwells among his people in Word, Spirit, and sacrament—rather than the absence of difficulty (chap. 5).”
‘“If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire," [CS Lewis] explained. "If you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.” Enjoyment comes from proximity to the source of all joy.’
“We are dealing with what I like to call the problem of superfluous happiness. (It is the mirror image of the much more famous problem of evil, which contemporary people are generally more aware of.) Put simply, there is a lot more joy in this world than there needs to be. Yes, some sources of enjoyment are useful for our survival, and we could dismiss those as mere evolutionary adaptations if we chose to. But many are not. The most committed materialist still delights in shapes and sounds, color palettes and proportions, voices and faces, jokes and ideas, and poetry and harmony, which have nothing to do with whether they or their offspring live or die and everything to do with a felicity and wonder that seem baked into the world.”
“This overlap should be encouraging for two reasons. One is that becoming more like Christ involves exactly the sort of character, habits, and virtues that make human beings happier, according to psychological research. (Note that this is not the same as the habits that make our lives easier. Flourishing is not the absence of suffering. For now, flourishing is impossible without suffering.)
“The other reason is that whoever you ask—ancient philosophers with their observations, modern psychologists with their surveys, or Christian teachers with their Bibles—you will find that if you stand back from the ups and downs of a particular mood or moment and look at life as a whole, you will see that happiness, goodness, and flourishing are essentially the same thing.”
‘But we should bear in mind two things. One is that it is a mark of Christianity's influence in our culture, over thousands of years, that everyone sees love as central to human flourishing. Ancient pagans did not think that love was the chief foundation of a good life or that "the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13), let alone that "love is all you need." But our contemporary neighbors do, and that transformation results from the impact of the gospel.
‘The other thing, as Augustine pointed out, is that the order of priority in which we love things makes all the difference in the world. A person whose order of loves starts with self, then work, then friends, then family, then God, will be unrecognizable from (and far less happy than) a person whose loves are ordered the other way round—to say nothing of the person who loves power more than his children or career advancement more than her friends. So it is not enough to identify love as a pillar of fourish-ing or a horse pulling the cart of happiness. We need to know who or what to love and in what order. And Jesus spells it out for us: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40).’
This book was quite good, but this review is just going to be a collection of quotes from the book. I realize that’s rather lame and kinda lazy of me, and I apologize. My happiness comes from reading and not from writing. Of course if I keep rambling on like this it might start to feel like a legit review. Maybe one sentence more? Ok, two.
Anyway, the first quote doubles as a summary of the book.
“How can we increase our joy? What sorts of things can we do and what sorts of people can we become such that our lives are increasingly colored by deep and lasting happiness?
“The previous chapters have pointed to a number of answers. Become more like God (chap. 1). Prioritize deeper forms of happiness over shallower ones (chap. 2). Know yourself, and use the body to stir the soul, the rider to train the elephant, the Spirit to mortify the flesh, and the daily decisions you make to help your brain (chap. 3). Work with the grain of time, from the time of day/month/year to the season of life you are in, and reflect on the certain realities of death and resurrection (chap. 4). Most importantly, seek the place of greatest joy, which is the presence of God—particularly as he dwells among his people in Word, Spirit, and sacrament—rather than the absence of difficulty (chap. 5).”
‘“If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire," [CS Lewis] explained. "If you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.” Enjoyment comes from proximity to the source of all joy.’
“We are dealing with what I like to call the problem of superfluous happiness. (It is the mirror image of the much more famous problem of evil, which contemporary people are generally more aware of.) Put simply, there is a lot more joy in this world than there needs to be. Yes, some sources of enjoyment are useful for our survival, and we could dismiss those as mere evolutionary adaptations if we chose to. But many are not. The most committed materialist still delights in shapes and sounds, color palettes and proportions, voices and faces, jokes and ideas, and poetry and harmony, which have nothing to do with whether they or their offspring live or die and everything to do with a felicity and wonder that seem baked into the world.”
“This overlap should be encouraging for two reasons. One is that becoming more like Christ involves exactly the sort of character, habits, and virtues that make human beings happier, according to psychological research. (Note that this is not the same as the habits that make our lives easier. Flourishing is not the absence of suffering. For now, flourishing is impossible without suffering.)
“The other reason is that whoever you ask—ancient philosophers with their observations, modern psychologists with their surveys, or Christian teachers with their Bibles—you will find that if you stand back from the ups and downs of a particular mood or moment and look at life as a whole, you will see that happiness, goodness, and flourishing are essentially the same thing.”
‘But we should bear in mind two things. One is that it is a mark of Christianity's influence in our culture, over thousands of years, that everyone sees love as central to human flourishing. Ancient pagans did not think that love was the chief foundation of a good life or that "the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13), let alone that "love is all you need." But our contemporary neighbors do, and that transformation results from the impact of the gospel.
‘The other thing, as Augustine pointed out, is that the order of priority in which we love things makes all the difference in the world. A person whose order of loves starts with self, then work, then friends, then family, then God, will be unrecognizable from (and far less happy than) a person whose loves are ordered the other way round—to say nothing of the person who loves power more than his children or career advancement more than her friends. So it is not enough to identify love as a pillar of fourish-ing or a horse pulling the cart of happiness. We need to know who or what to love and in what order. And Jesus spells it out for us: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40).’
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Andrew Wilson’s Happiness is a thoughtful and refreshing exploration of what true joy looks like from a Christian perspective. One of the things I appreciated most was that the book does not treat happiness as something shallow or unspiritual. Instead, Wilson argues that joy is part of God’s design for us — that “joy is the serious business of heaven.”
A theme that stood out to me throughout the book was the way Wilson describes God’s character. Rather than picturing God as a distant, disappointed authority figure, he reminds us that Scripture often presents God more like a loving bridegroom. The idea that “God is invisible, but he is invisibly smiling rather than invisibly scowling” is such a simple but powerful way of reframing how we see him.
Another highlight was the section on the relationship between the body and the soul. Wilson points out that the biblical writers understood something we are still learning today: our physical actions affect our emotions and our spiritual life. Singing, posture, movement, worship, and even simple physical practices can help stir our hearts toward gratitude and joy. I found this especially interesting because it made worship feel less like waiting for the right emotions and more like actively participating with our whole selves.
I also loved the reflections on seasonality and wisdom. The idea that there are rhythms and seasons in life — and that we need to work with them rather than constantly fight them — really resonated with me. It made me think about how different times of year affect me personally, and how I might need to make different choices depending on the season. For example, I know I struggle more with heavy or depressing books in winter, and there is wisdom in paying attention to those patterns rather than ignoring them.
The discussion of Jesus as the place where God’s presence and joy are found was another part that stayed with me. Wilson shows how the story of Scripture points towards God dwelling with humanity, and how true joy is connected to being close to him.
The chapter on praise was another favourite. Wilson explains that praise is not something God demands because he needs our approval; rather, praise is the natural response to something we enjoy. C. S. Lewis’s insight that enjoyment naturally overflows into praise is beautifully explored here. We often want to share good things because sharing them completes the joy.
I also liked the reminder that happiness often comes when we stop chasing happiness directly. Wilson quotes the idea that happy people are usually absorbed in something else — creating, loving, serving, working, or enjoying the world around them. Happiness becomes a result rather than the main goal.
One of my favourite practical ideas was: “Turn your delights into disciplines.” Wilson encourages readers to notice what helps them enjoy God and then intentionally build those things into their lives. I found myself thinking about what helps me connect with God more naturally — similar to Wilson’s example of praying while walking outside. Different people may encounter God through different rhythms, but the important thing is paying attention and cultivating those habits.
I also loved Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ quote: “Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself.” It is such a simple but challenging idea — that our thoughts often need to be redirected by truth rather than allowed to run unchecked.
Overall, this book gave me a lot to think about. There were many ideas I highlighted and will continue reflecting on. It is a book about joy, but also about paying attention — to God, to ourselves, to the seasons of life, and to the things that draw our hearts towards him. A very worthwhile read.
A theme that stood out to me throughout the book was the way Wilson describes God’s character. Rather than picturing God as a distant, disappointed authority figure, he reminds us that Scripture often presents God more like a loving bridegroom. The idea that “God is invisible, but he is invisibly smiling rather than invisibly scowling” is such a simple but powerful way of reframing how we see him.
Another highlight was the section on the relationship between the body and the soul. Wilson points out that the biblical writers understood something we are still learning today: our physical actions affect our emotions and our spiritual life. Singing, posture, movement, worship, and even simple physical practices can help stir our hearts toward gratitude and joy. I found this especially interesting because it made worship feel less like waiting for the right emotions and more like actively participating with our whole selves.
I also loved the reflections on seasonality and wisdom. The idea that there are rhythms and seasons in life — and that we need to work with them rather than constantly fight them — really resonated with me. It made me think about how different times of year affect me personally, and how I might need to make different choices depending on the season. For example, I know I struggle more with heavy or depressing books in winter, and there is wisdom in paying attention to those patterns rather than ignoring them.
The discussion of Jesus as the place where God’s presence and joy are found was another part that stayed with me. Wilson shows how the story of Scripture points towards God dwelling with humanity, and how true joy is connected to being close to him.
The chapter on praise was another favourite. Wilson explains that praise is not something God demands because he needs our approval; rather, praise is the natural response to something we enjoy. C. S. Lewis’s insight that enjoyment naturally overflows into praise is beautifully explored here. We often want to share good things because sharing them completes the joy.
I also liked the reminder that happiness often comes when we stop chasing happiness directly. Wilson quotes the idea that happy people are usually absorbed in something else — creating, loving, serving, working, or enjoying the world around them. Happiness becomes a result rather than the main goal.
One of my favourite practical ideas was: “Turn your delights into disciplines.” Wilson encourages readers to notice what helps them enjoy God and then intentionally build those things into their lives. I found myself thinking about what helps me connect with God more naturally — similar to Wilson’s example of praying while walking outside. Different people may encounter God through different rhythms, but the important thing is paying attention and cultivating those habits.
I also loved Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ quote: “Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself.” It is such a simple but challenging idea — that our thoughts often need to be redirected by truth rather than allowed to run unchecked.
Overall, this book gave me a lot to think about. There were many ideas I highlighted and will continue reflecting on. It is a book about joy, but also about paying attention — to God, to ourselves, to the seasons of life, and to the things that draw our hearts towards him. A very worthwhile read.
August 29, 2026
Pastor Andrew Wilson offers a nice collection of advice for pursuing wisdom, culled from the Bible but also from modern psychology and pop culture. He gets the most important part--true happiness is found only in drawing near to God. This of course requires the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Then he also has plenty of good thoughts for what that looks like in daily life. He suggests pursuing fruit of the Spirit, as well as humility, compassion forgiveness, fellowship, and praise. He returns again and again to the need to rejoice in the Lord. And he also stresses something many people miss--you don't gain happiness by trying to be happy. You gain happiness by pursuing something else--a calling, a person, experience, etc. (C. S. Lewis said this a lot better than I am here.) Happiness is a by-product.
I was less convinced by Wilson's desire to translate the Hebrew asher and the Greek makarios as "happy" (as in Psalm 1, or the beatitudes), though I was pleased by his rejection of some kind of distinction between "joy" and "happiness." And for someone who literally wrote a book titled Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, I wanted a little more on happiness as "eudaimonia" as understood in the western tradition. All in all, though, excellent work here.
Then he also has plenty of good thoughts for what that looks like in daily life. He suggests pursuing fruit of the Spirit, as well as humility, compassion forgiveness, fellowship, and praise. He returns again and again to the need to rejoice in the Lord. And he also stresses something many people miss--you don't gain happiness by trying to be happy. You gain happiness by pursuing something else--a calling, a person, experience, etc. (C. S. Lewis said this a lot better than I am here.) Happiness is a by-product.
I was less convinced by Wilson's desire to translate the Hebrew asher and the Greek makarios as "happy" (as in Psalm 1, or the beatitudes), though I was pleased by his rejection of some kind of distinction between "joy" and "happiness." And for someone who literally wrote a book titled Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, I wanted a little more on happiness as "eudaimonia" as understood in the western tradition. All in all, though, excellent work here.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Full review forthcoming for The Gospel Coalition:
Andrew Wilson is one of the few authors on my “read everything he/she writes” list, and his new book on Happiness was another reminder why he belongs there.
There’s no shortage of books on happiness these days, but as Wilson notes, most authors typically only approach the subject with one of the following three lenses in mind: 1) Psychological and Sociological, 2) Philosophical and Theological, and 3) Biblical and Pastoral (x). With his usual insight, clarity, and wit, Wilson seeks to thoughtfully weave these three perspectives together identifying both agreement and difference along the way.
His fundamental argument is that “God wants you to be happy” (1). But for those who live in a broken world with decaying bodies, darkened minds, and disordered desires, happiness often escapes us. So if God actually care about our personal joy, how do we cultivate a heart that’s happy in him? Wilson seeks to help us doing just that by showing us, as the subtitle suggests, what happiness is, where to find it, and how to make it last forever.
A pleasure to read, “happy” to recommend. 😉
Andrew Wilson is one of the few authors on my “read everything he/she writes” list, and his new book on Happiness was another reminder why he belongs there.
There’s no shortage of books on happiness these days, but as Wilson notes, most authors typically only approach the subject with one of the following three lenses in mind: 1) Psychological and Sociological, 2) Philosophical and Theological, and 3) Biblical and Pastoral (x). With his usual insight, clarity, and wit, Wilson seeks to thoughtfully weave these three perspectives together identifying both agreement and difference along the way.
His fundamental argument is that “God wants you to be happy” (1). But for those who live in a broken world with decaying bodies, darkened minds, and disordered desires, happiness often escapes us. So if God actually care about our personal joy, how do we cultivate a heart that’s happy in him? Wilson seeks to help us doing just that by showing us, as the subtitle suggests, what happiness is, where to find it, and how to make it last forever.
A pleasure to read, “happy” to recommend. 😉
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:23 NIV)
Wilson shows that true happiness isn’t something we chase, it’s rooted in who God is. Nobody is happier than God as he delights in the Trinity, His people, and all He does. To glorify Him is to grow more like Him and therefore to be happy.
Our culture has made ‘happy’ into a catch-all, flippant word but Wilson unpacks scripture and the Greek behind it to identify different forms of happiness and the ones we are called to pursue, even amid trials. Practices like forgiveness, humility, generosity, compassion, gratitude, and confession—things that turn us outward—make this pursuit easier.
Deeply biblical and refreshingly practical, this book left me contemplating God’s character more than stressing over my own performance and hopeful that even better happiness is yet to come.
Wilson shows that true happiness isn’t something we chase, it’s rooted in who God is. Nobody is happier than God as he delights in the Trinity, His people, and all He does. To glorify Him is to grow more like Him and therefore to be happy.
Our culture has made ‘happy’ into a catch-all, flippant word but Wilson unpacks scripture and the Greek behind it to identify different forms of happiness and the ones we are called to pursue, even amid trials. Practices like forgiveness, humility, generosity, compassion, gratitude, and confession—things that turn us outward—make this pursuit easier.
Deeply biblical and refreshingly practical, this book left me contemplating God’s character more than stressing over my own performance and hopeful that even better happiness is yet to come.
October 8, 2026
"The God who created the world wants you to experience deep, uninhibited, raucous, and eternal joy"
In some ways, this book is a look into Christian Hedonism and how that works out in everyday life. The premise being, God is completely happy and wants us to be happy. We were made as an expression of God's happiness and to express happiness back to him. The author did a wonderful job of answering the big questions - who, what, when, where, why, and how - although not in that order. I think two of the biggest takeaways for me were "Where there is Jesus, there is joy", and "For the love of God, don't swap a kingdom for a casserole."
In some ways, this book is a look into Christian Hedonism and how that works out in everyday life. The premise being, God is completely happy and wants us to be happy. We were made as an expression of God's happiness and to express happiness back to him. The author did a wonderful job of answering the big questions - who, what, when, where, why, and how - although not in that order. I think two of the biggest takeaways for me were "Where there is Jesus, there is joy", and "For the love of God, don't swap a kingdom for a casserole."
September 11, 2026
I'll admit that I read this more because of the author than because I was excited by the premise. I don't know what I expected, but I should have known that Wilson would treat the subject of happiness intelligently, with surprising insights, and with a great deal of humor.
This is not an exhaustive (or exhausting) reference book. Rather, it's a short look at happiness that is just the right size to hand to almost anyone without daunting them.
This is not an exhaustive (or exhausting) reference book. Rather, it's a short look at happiness that is just the right size to hand to almost anyone without daunting them.
September 21, 2026
Strong contender for book of the year, I thoroughly enjoyed it
Is it paperback psychology with added scripture? In a sense, maybe
I would argue it is a book that treats happiness holistically, with the psychology demonstrating how scripture understands us. Would I like to chat with a Christian professor of the psychology of happiness to fill in the gaps because the psychology is the broad brush strokes? Sure
Does that stop this from being the best co on the topic I've read? Absolutely not.
Is it paperback psychology with added scripture? In a sense, maybe
I would argue it is a book that treats happiness holistically, with the psychology demonstrating how scripture understands us. Would I like to chat with a Christian professor of the psychology of happiness to fill in the gaps because the psychology is the broad brush strokes? Sure
Does that stop this from being the best co on the topic I've read? Absolutely not.
October 20, 2026
A book about happiness—from a Christian perspective. What a good idea! The Lord wants us to come and share in His happiness. And one day, we will share in it fully. Until then, there are many earthly ways of tuning our hearts and minds to the happiness we will one day possess. They are all throughout the Scriptures and all over the earth, when we look for them.
Review of advance copy
This book is superb. It's brilliantly written, at times poetically so and each chapter is better than the last. Thoroughly researched and theologically deep it feels fresh and displays Andrew's agility and eloquence. A master communicator, a wonderful book.
September 8, 2026
Like Tim Keller before him, Andrew Wilson is one of the great Christian synthesizers of our day, able to take a huge amount of study and research and write in an accessible and compelling way in under 150 pages! Would highly recommend this book to both Christian and skeptic alike.
September 15, 2026
I really loved the first 2 chapters of this snappy little book. The remainder of the book was....fine....but somewhat disappointing relative to the fantastic early pages.
Full video review here: https://youtu.be/Haef-piPHkg
Full video review here: https://youtu.be/Haef-piPHkg
October 13, 2026
I greatly appreciated this book. Wilson thoughtfully integrated a variety of writings and approaches to the subject of happiness in a well-organized and practical book.
Read my full review on Substack: https://shepherdspath.substack.com/p/...
Read my full review on Substack: https://shepherdspath.substack.com/p/...
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August 21, 2026Read quickly. Meh.
August 29, 2026
Yes yes yes! My trifecta of a good book: Biblical, good research, and practical
September 2, 2026
Noteworthy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2026
If I were to recommend any book on the subject of happiness, this is it.
September 7, 2026
Outstanding. Wilson is one of my favorite writers, and this was him synthesizing material at his best. I’ll be rereading and widely recommending. Audiobook also well done.
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