I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Proverbs 21:17

... the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147:11

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalam 16:11

I'm considering these passages in light of the pursuit of happiness. It is in accordance with God's good pleasure to adopt us as his children through Jesus Christ and to make known to us the mystery of his will (Ephesians 1:5,9). God works in us for his good pleasure (Phillippians 2:13). Jesus promises life "to the full" (John 10:10) and he prays that we would experience the full measure of His joy (John 17:13). We have the fullness of his grace; experiencing one blessing after another (John 1:16).

Life needs to be redefined by these things. Even in light of our troubles. We must recognize that they are momentary and fleeting (2 Corinthians 4:17). I'm not making nothing of your pain, suffering, struggle, sin, or fear. We're merely stuck in a moment; this time is passing. The urgency to understand the grace you are being offered is even more pressing when you consider this.

If I could for just a moment, let out the breathe that I hold inside.

U2 - One Step Closer
I'm 'round the corner from anything that's real
I'm across the road from hope
I'm under a bridge in a rip tide
That's taken everything I call my own

One step closer to knowing
One step closer to knowing

I'm on an island at a busy intersection
I can't go forward, I can't turn back
Can't see the future
It's getting away from me
I just watch the tail lights glowing

(chorus)
One step closer to knowing
One step closer to knowing
One step closer to knowing
Knowing, knowing

I'm hanging out to dry
With my old clothes
Finger still red with the prick of an old rose
Well the heart that hurts
Is a heart that beats
Can you hear the drummer slowing?
(chorus)

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

James 5:7-8
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.