What is the key to happiness? Given his famously morose disposition, you might think David Brainerd[1] to be an odd person to answer this question. However, Brainerd gives valuable insight into lasting joy in a letter he wrote as a 26-year-old in 1744 to his younger brother, Israel.[2] Could you picture yourself writing this letter to your brother?
David Brainerd’s Letter
Brainerd began: “My Dear Brother, There is but one thing that deserves our highest care and most ardent desires; and that is that we may answer the great end for which we were made . . . to glorify that God who has given us our beings and all our comforts, and do all the good we possibly can to our fellow men while we live in the world: And verily life is not worth the having if it be not improved for this noble end and purpose. Yet, alas, how little is this thought of among mankind! Most men seem to ‘live to themselves’ (2 Cor. 5:15)[3] without much regard to the glory of God or the good of their fellow creatures; they earnestly desire and eagerly pursue after the riches, the honors, and the pleasures of life, as if they really supposed that wealth, or greatness, or merriment, could make their immortal souls happy. But alas, what false and delusive dreams are these! . . .
“And if you would [desire to] glorify God, answer [or live up to] His just expectations from you, and make your own soul happy in this and the coming world, observe these few directions . . .”
1. Take Life Seriously.
Brainerd continued, “First, resolve upon and daily endeavor to practice a life of seriousness and strict sobriety [maturity]. The wise man will tell you the great advantage of such a life, Eccles. 7:3[4]. Think of the life of Christ; and when you can find that He was pleased with jesting and vain merriment, then you may indulge in it yourself.” Jesting and vain merriment? Today, that could include letting hours slide away surfing social media, binge-watching Netflix, and obsessing about our favorite sports teams.
2. Use Your Limited Time Wisely.
Brainerd then followed a negative with a positive: “Again, be careful to make a good improvement of precious time. When you cease from labor, fill up your time in reading, meditation, and prayer: And while your hands are laboring, let your heart be employed as much as possible in divine thoughts.” Here, Brainerd suggests we replace empty pleasures with activities that helps us to grow in matters of eternal significance.
3. Whatever You Do, Do It Well for God.
Moving from what to do to how to do it, Brainerd wrote, “Further, take heed that you faithfully perform the business you have to do in the world from a regard to the commands of God; and not from an ambitious desire of being esteemed better than others. We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world to do His work; and accordingly labor faithfully for Him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God and do all the good we possibly can.” Half-hearted effort—whether it be in our jobs, our families, or our service in the church—never brings glory to God or lasting personal satisfaction.
4. Beware of the Deceptive Happiness Offered by this World.
Continuing, Brainerd warned his brother: “Again, never expect any satisfaction or happiness from the world. If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God and not from the world. Don’t think you shall be more happy if you live to such or such a state of life, if you live to be for yourself, to be settled in the world, or if you should gain an estate in it: but look upon it that you shall then be happy when you can be constantly employed for God and not for yourself; and desire to live in this world only to do and suffer what God allots to you . . . (Col. 3:2).”[5] We should find contentment in what God has provided and not be continually seeking for what God has given to others.
5. Rely on God’s Strength.
Finally, Brainerd encouraged his brother: “Once more, never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to, and rely on, Him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace. There is no greater truth than this, ‘that we can do nothing of ourselves’ (John 15:5 and 2 Cor. 3:5).”[6] Brainerd echoed the ever-true words of Scripture—we must abide in Christ, relying on His strength alone.
The Ring for the Five Keys: Glorifying God
As you can see at the beginning of his letter, Brainerd linked a believer’s personal happiness to glorifying God. If you desire to be happy both now and in eternity, the key is to glorify God each day of your life. Any source of happiness apart from God is a fleeting mirage. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. . . . These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:8-11)
[1] David Brainerd took the gospel to Native Americans before the American War for Independence. Read more about why this young man has been so respected through history in my book, Daring Devotion: A 31-Day Journey with those who Lived God’s Promises.
[2] This letter is in public domain but is also included in Vance Christie’s excellent biography, David Brainerd: A Flame for God. I highly recommend you read it.
[3] “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Cor. 5:15)
[4] “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” (Ecc. 7:3)
[5] “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)
[6] “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” (2 Cor. 3:5)
Picture courtesy of Frank Busch on unsplash
