“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis asserts that true happiness and peace can only be found in a relationship with God, and that these qualities are not available in isolation from Him. Lewis is emphasizing that lasting fulfillment cannot be obtained through external pursuits or material success alone. He argues that happiness and peace are inextricably linked to God, because they are part of His divine nature. Without Him, these qualities are either illusory or temporary, lacking the depth and sustaining power that only God can provide. For Lewis, the quest for happiness that is separated from God is ultimately futile, as it is grounded in the mistaken belief that these things can exist apart from their divine source.
Historically, this aligns with Lewis’s broader Christian worldview, where he saw human beings as created to live in relationship with God. In his work, particularly in Mere Christianity, Lewis argues that true joy and peace come not from pursuing earthly success or pleasures, but from aligning one’s life with the purpose and will of God. He believed that many people pursue happiness in ways that are disconnected from spiritual fulfillment, leading to disappointment and frustration. For Lewis, happiness and peace were not just emotional states but spiritual realities that flow naturally from obedience to God and being in harmony with divine love.
In the modern context, this quote challenges contemporary views of happiness and peace, which are often associated with material wealth, career success, or self-fulfillment. Lewis’s insight invites us to consider that these forms of happiness are often fleeting and empty if they are not rooted in something deeper. True contentment and lasting peace come from seeking God first and finding our identity and purpose in Him. This perspective offers a reminder that, in a world focused on individualism and external accomplishments, the deepest happiness is found in a relationship with the Creator—a happiness that is both lasting and eternal.
