God wants us to be happy. But what does that look like? How do we find happiness? The only way to find happiness is through Him. He created us! God knows us better than we know ourselves. Some of His ways may seem counterintuitive at first, but the verses that follow demonstrate where true contentment and joy is found—in Him!

1 Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

The way to be truly happy is to be truly human, and the way to be truly human is to be truly godly.
–J.I. Packer

4Isaiah 9:3 You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

5Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

6Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
—C.S. Lewis

7Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

8John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

9Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

10Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

11Ecclesiastes 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

12Psalm 144:15 Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. “If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,” Jesus said, “he will find his true self.”
–Elisabeth Elliot

13Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

14Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.

15Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

16Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

17Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

18Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Happiness belongs to those who sorrow for the sin and suffering of this world.
–David Jeremiah

19James 4:2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

20Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

21Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

22Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

231 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

24Psalms 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

25Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

26Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength.

True joy is a by-product, not a goal.
–David Jeremiah

27Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

281 Peter 1:8-9 Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

29John 15:11 These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

30Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

311 Chronicles 16:27 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and gladness are in His place.

32Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

331 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

34James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

Outside quotes taken from: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-happiness/