Many years ago I read this tag line in a book that was recommended to me: “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”

That statement led me to believe that God’s work in our lives is less about happiness and more about Him being glorified through our lives. How would that occur? It would happen as He works through the events of this life to purify us so that we live up to the holy standing we have in Christ, when we are born again and true Christ-followers. 

People who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, as evidenced by our “fruit”, are seen by God as righteous and holy. This position is not based upon our works, but upon Jesus’s work on the cross. His atoning sacrifice gives us our righteousness.

Please consider these verses:

Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed”

1 John 2:2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

It seems that if God’s primary purpose for our lives was our happiness, He would have removed Satan from having any influence in our lives. But God didn’t do that.

The following verses reveal the significance of holiness:

1 Peter 1:14-16: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

1 John 3:9-10: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”

A lifestyle of holiness reveals to the world that we belong to God. 

“Got Questions” in their article – “Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy?” states:

“We are told, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). In this verse, we see cooperation between God and His children in sanctification. We “work out” what God “works in” us, because God has a timeline for the virtues that He wishes to cultivate in our lives. Our responsibility is to yield to His wishes, “working out” with focused attention and great care those things that He is causing to grow in us. Holiness will not be brought to completion in our lives with no effort on our part. We are invited to participate in God’s work in us. We will not be “carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,” as the old hymn says.”

Holiness is worked into our character as we obey God. Obedience to God brings with it suffering in this life, because when we go to Jesus there won’t be any more suffering! It will be all happiness!!

When I first committed my life to Jesus, I was reading a devotional. The following thought has carried me through times of unjust suffering:

“The statement “It is doubtful whether God can bless [or use] a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply” is a famous quote by theologian A.W. Tozer from his book “The Root of the Righteous”. It implies that deep personal pain, trials, and brokenness are often necessary, preparatory “boot camp” experiences God uses to shape character and prepare individuals for significant service.”

When we serve God, He is glorified. That is the fruit of a holy character. 

A holy character is better than anything this life can provide. 

I would rather have holiness than happiness because I know that holiness will produce peace, joy, and even happiness in me, no matter the experiences this life produces.

What do you want your lifestyle to reveal?

What are your thoughts on this subject – please send them to me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com. 

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

Copyright 2026 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.