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Questions
and Answers
4.
How can I be happy?
In Time
magazine, there is an article called, "The Science of
Happiness." It has questions like, "What makes
the human heart sing?"
Edward
Dienar of the University of Illinois has been conducting a
study relative to happiness for 25 years. He said that,
"Once a basic need is met (ex. additional income,
education, IQ, youth), it does little to raise
satisfaction in life."
He said
that, "Religious faith seems to genuinely lift the
spirit."
He found
that lotto winners were no happier than those that didn't
win.
There are
2 major blows to life that lower happiness:
The
article in Time says, "Scientists know a lot about
depression, now, they are starting to understand the roots
of positive emotion."
Richard
Davidson of the University of Wisconsin said in the
article that, "People who rate in the upper reaches
of happiness on psychological tests develop about 50% more
antibodies than average in response to flu vaccines."
"Mental
states like hopelessness and optimism appear to reduce the
risk or limit the severity of cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, pulmonary disease, hypertension, colds, and
upper respiratory infections."
Robert
Davis of the University of California stated that,
"Happy people are better at health maintenance."
The
gratitude group is promoting better health.
Many
think that circumstances will determine happiness. Does
God want you to be happy?
"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?""
Ecclesiastes 2:1-2
Vanity:
emptiness, something transitory, unsatisfactory
"Even
in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be
grief." Proverbs 14:13
"For
what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and
forfeit his life?" Mark 8:36
It is
a false concept of some that God doesn't want you to be
happy. Joy and happiness are not necessarily related.
"Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven." Matthew 5:3
Blessed:
supremely blest, fortunate, well off, happy
1.
God's kind of happiness
-
is
not continual joking or laughing, feeling, or a bubbly
personality
-
is
being free from bondage
-
is
thankfulness, gratitude to God for His kindnesses
-
is
peace of heart that is not transient (John 14:27)
-
is
anticipation for what God has in store (Hebrews 11:1)
-
is
inner contentment, gladness, and delight in the Lord
"Not
that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in
whatever situation I am to be content."
Philippians 4:11
He had
Christ, and to him Christ was all in all. Paul says that
he had "learned" this.
"All
the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of
heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
"But
if we have food and clothing, with these we will be
content." 1 Timothy 6:8
"Keep
your life free from love of money, and be content with
what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave
you nor forsake you."" Hebrews 13:5
The
only way to have this is in a person - Jesus Christ.
Today
there are too many substitutes. Drugs, pleasures, wealth,
relationships, etc.
Unhealthy
relationships bring sorrow, hardship, disappointment. True
happiness is joy.
"Preserve
me, O God, for in you I take refuge." Psalm 16:1
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