Is Marriage a Source of Happiness?

Marriage is something many people dream of. Why? Because there is a motivation within human beings to be paired and to live together. They believe and hope that marriage will bring happiness. The status of being single, on the other hand, is seen as a sign of a less complete life, because one does not have a partner.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to become anxious and worried if they have not yet found or have a partner, because the path to marriage is still not open. But is it really true that marriage will certainly bring happiness? On the other hand, is being single a sign of being unhappy?

Single Life Vs. Marriage

The song titled My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was one of my favorite songs when I was in high school. Even though I did not understand the meaning of the lyrics. But the song portrayed the love so deeply felt by the characters in the film Titanic. The film and the song Titanic managed to captivate me. I began to daydream that one day I would find true love and get married. But thankfully I did not dream of standing on the very top edge of a huge ship.

When I was 28 years old, worries about the future began to appear. At that time, I felt that I needed a life companion. I began to think about finding a woman who would become my life partner. Then I tried to get to know and build friendship with the opposite sex, until finally I found the right woman . In short, we got married and began to build a family. Life felt more complete when our child was born.

Up to this point, I thought that my life was already happy. I had a partner, a family, and a child. Did this make me feel happy?

In the early days of marriage, I did not feel it. I felt the weight of living my life. It turned out that marriage was not like the romantic films I had imagined. There were so many responsibilities that had to be fulfilled once I was married. When I was single, I felt so free. I could do whatever I liked. I was free to eat anything. Wake up and sleep at hours I set for myself. And of course, I had no responsibility to anyone. If I flash back to the past, I feel that single life was so beautiful, free, and independent. 

After getting married, there were so many responsibilities and obligations I had to fulfill. Marriage turned out not to be that easy. Having a family means life is no longer just for yourself; there is already responsibility toward your wife and child. I need to work, I need to be sensitive to my partner's needs, and also deny myself for the sake of my family. Yet on the other hand, I am also grateful for the companion by my side, whom God has placed there.

Therefore, a question arose in my mind. Does a person's status determine their happiness? Must someone remain single or get married in order to be happy?

The Source of True Happiness

Looking at God's Word, it is never written that happiness can only be found when we are single or married. However, the Bible records that happiness can be found in these things.

Matthew 5:1-12 is a series of Jesus' sermons on the mount. There the criteria for being blessed according to God's standard are mentioned, namely:

• blessed are the poor in spirit
• blessed are those who mourn
• blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
• blessed are the merciful and the pure in heart
• blessed are the peacemakers
• blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness
• blessed are you when because of Me, you are insulted and persecuted and falsely accused of all kinds of evil.

In addition, the verses in the Old Testament also mention various things that can make us happy.

Taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

To be able to feel happy, we need to see, feel, and experience that God is good. Regardless of our status, we need to remember again the goodness of God in our lives. Happiness is when we are able to believe that God has been so good in our lives and when we take refuge in Him. 

Blessed is the one who puts his trust in the LORD, who does not turn to the proud, or to those who stray into falsehood! –  Psalm 40:4

We can feel happiness when we place our trust in God. Being single or married does not guarantee happiness. When we are in either of those phases, each has its own happiness and challenges. Yet we want to live through both seasons with the conviction that God is good, that God holds our lives, and with full trust in Him. 

That way, in whatever phase and wherever we are, whether single, married, with children, or even in old age, we can continue to feel happy. 

Happiness While Single and Married

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my trust from my youth. – Psalm 71:5

Being single and being married each have their own blessings. When we are single, we have the freedom to do anything and be friends with anyone. We live responsibly for ourselves and for God. 

We do not need to worry because we are alone, because there is God. God is with us. We may have a need for a life companion, but if we can be satisfied in God, then we can surely feel happy. He is the source of our hope . Whether we are single or married, God remains the source of our hope and happiness. 

When we get married, we move up to the next level. God created marriage because He saw that marriage is good and that human beings need a life partner. It is said in Genesis 2:18, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” 

Marriage will become a blessing if we choose a suitable and well-matchedpartner. However, behind this blessing, there is greater responsibility that we need to take on. Therefore, marriage is the next level. Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives must submit as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-25).

Both being single and being married have their own happiness and blessings. The most important thing is that, whatever phase of life we are in, we live in God. If you are single, be a single person who fears the Lord, who places your hope in God. In that way you will be happy. 

When you are married, be a husband or wife who fears the Lord, who carries out each role according to God's Word, and in that way you will have a happy marriage. 

Without living in God, whether single, married, or in another phase of life, happiness may be hard to find. Because the source of happiness can only be found if we live in God.

Happiness Does Not Depend on Status

In the end, happiness does not depend on being married or unmarried. Our life choices are what will determine it. Whether we are single or married, the source of our happiness comes from God and from our own decisions. There are people who, even though their lives are difficult, remain happy. There are also people whose lives are comfortable, yet still do not feel happy. 

True happiness will be found when we obey God's will in our lives. When we depend on God and place our hope in Him, we will find the meaning of true happiness. Marriage can also add happiness if every husband and wife are willing to become the people God wants them to be and to carry out their roles according to God's Word. 

I invite all of us to reflect on this: where do we seek our happiness? From God, or from our status? Whether we are single or married, true happiness comes from God. Are we willing to receive the happiness that comes from God ?

Hallelujah! Blessed is the one who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. – Psalm 112:1 -  Related Articles:

• An Effective Way to Express Truth in Love to Your Spouse
• Is Your Marriage Starting to Crack? There Is Still Hope
• Stressed Because You Are Still Single? Do These 4 Things!
• The Secret to a Full Life in God for Single Women
• 4 Crucial Character Traits a Prospective Husband Must Have

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