Philippians 1:12-14 "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear."

When we consider that Paul was in prison, we can be happy since his circumstances turned out for the greater progess of the good news of Christ Jesus.

When we consider that the early church suffered great persecution, we can be happy since this forced the good news of Christ Jesus to be spread to the entire known world as the early Christians fled their home lands.

Now if Paul was in prison, and the early church was being persecuted (imprisioned, or tortured and killed), we can still be happy since the gospel was being furthered and souls were being saved.

Happiness comes from the spreading of the gospel; seeing people saved from the condemnation of hell to escape an eternity of suffering and receive life through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Do we have that happiness today?  We don't get imprisoned or tortured or killed for proclaiming the gospel today; which is a good thing, but what about the gospel?  Are we furthering the gospel where we are?

If Paul and company can spread the good news while in prison or while being persecuted, aren't we much more able to do it free from those things?

Where do we get our happiness from?