Why Is It So Hard to Be Happy?

TGC Hard Questions

By: Jen Oshman

Narrated by: Natalie Stanfield

A Concise Look at Happiness from a Christian Perspective

Happiness feels more elusive than ever. With an endless stream of self-help books and motivational content available at our fingertips, we're encouraged to look inward for the answers. But all too often, this relentless focus on ourselves only leaves us feeling emptier than when we started. Why does happiness feel so hard to grasp?

In this brief booklet, Jen Oshman examines the history, sociology, and data of happiness from a Christian perspective. She discusses our culture's competing visions and definitions of happiness, investigates why happiness is so elusive, and offers practical alternatives to the unsatisfactory lies of the world. This booklet invites listeners to explore happiness as an outcome of a relationship with our Creator, Jesus Christ. In him there is a treasure waiting to be discovered—a richer, fuller way to live.

• Countercultural: Provides life-giving and practical alternatives to the unsatisfactory lies the world tells us about how to gain happiness
• Christian Perspective: Helps both believers and non-believers understand happiness as a byproduct of their relationship with Jesus Christ
• Short, Accessible Format: A concise biblical exploration of the history, sociology, and data of happiness
• Part of the TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips listeners with answers to difficult questions facing today's church

©2026 Jen Oshman (P)2026 Crossway