If we view happiness as inner peace from God, it precedes all human attempts at being happy. We arrive at the source of our ultimate happiness when we subordinate our earthly good to a higher and more definitive spiritual good by unconditionally trusting in God (cf. Philippians 4:6-7; 1Peter 5:5-7; James 4:5-10). The capacity to live truly virtuous lives also comes from God; therefore, it requires strength from God that also flows from unconditional trust in Him. Happiness and virtue from God precede and presuppose our human attempts to live a virtuous life, friendship, and community.
If we view happiness as inner peace from God, it precedes all human attempts at being happy. We arrive at the source of our ultimate happiness when we subordinate our earthly good to a higher and more definitive spiritual good by unconditionally trusting in God (cf. Philippians 4:6-7; 1Peter 5:5-7; James 4:5-10). The capacity to live truly virtuous lives also comes from God; therefore, it requires strength from God that also flows from unconditional trust in Him. Happiness and virtue from God precede and presuppose our human attempts to live a virtuous life, friendship, and community.