“The word ‘blessed’ has lost its sense as a happiness word.”

When most Christians hear the word “blessed” they think that it means set-apart or sanctified. Bestselling author Randy Alcorn explains how the word has a lot more to do with happiness than most Christians realize.

In talking to many Bible translators, Randy discovered that the English translations of the Bible are one of the few translations that use the word ‘blessed’ in place of ‘happy.’ This has led to misunderstandings about happiness in Christian circles. He sets things straight in his book,  .

“English is one of the relatively few languages where we don’t read in the beatitudes, ‘Happy is the poor in spirit, happy are the peacemakers, or the merciful.’ Instead we read ‘blessed’ and we miss the main point.”

Many Bible scholars insist that “blessed” must mean more than just happiness. They fail to understand how someone could be happy amidst persecution and strife.

“That’s exactly the point of the passage, it’s paradoxical.”

As Christians, we find happiness because we know that we have a reward waiting for us in heaven that is far greater than anything we will ever know on earth. We’re able to face persecution with humble and contrite hearts because we know we are called to endure hardship to stand up for our faith.

Do you have the courage and faith to believe Jesus when He says that if you are poor in spirit and persecuted, you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven?

Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 68:3

Featured Songs: Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman; Finally Home by Jeremy Camp; Anything is Possible by Matthew West

Highlight : What it really means to be “blessed”

The truth about Christian happiness