I think it's safe to say most people want to be happy. I'm defining happiness as the experience of pleasure or positive feelings. It seems like a no-brainer that we would rather experience happiness than sadness. However, I think we're going about our pursuit of happiness the wrong way. I'm sure we've all experienced the anticipation of an upcoming event, say a special meal or tickets to see our favorite team play. We enjoy the event, but then it's over. The happiness was temporal. Back to "real life." I submit that there is a way to experience lasting joy. I'll get to that shortly.
According to the Wall Street Journal article entitled "Is Happiness Overrated?" March 15, 2011 some researchers say happiness is far less important to physical health than the type of well-being that comes from engaging in meaningful activity. The article also goes on to state that "some of the newest evidence suggests that people who focus on living with a sense of purpose as they age are more likely to remain cognitively intact, have better mental health and even live longer than people who focus on achieving feelings of happiness. In fact, in some cases, too much focus on feeling happy can actually lead to feeling less happy, researchers say." Pleasures such as a good meal, an entertaining movie, or a sports game are fleeting, short-term and hedonistic. Hedonism is defined as the self-indulgent pursuit of pleasure as a way of life. However, "raising children, volunteering or going to medical school may be less pleasurable day to day, but give a sense of fulfillment in the long-run." To sum up the article in a nutshell Dr. Ed Diener (retired professor at the University of Illinois) says, "quit sitting around worrying about yourself and get focused on your goals."
So it seems that secular research supports what the Bible teaches. There are numerous biblical passages that highlight the principle of not being self-centered, but rather other-centered. Philippians 2:3 says that we should do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility of mind we should each esteem others higher ourselves. Ultimately, we need only look at Jesus' example. He left His heavenly glory, came to earth as a humble man, lived a sinless life and willingly took on our sins in his own body. I'd say he was thinking of others and not himself! The Scripture says that Jesus did all this because of the JOY that was before Him (Heb 12:2).
Galatians 5:22-23 states the joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit. As we abide in Christ we are connected to our source of life and thus bear the Spirit's fruit. In John chapter 15, Jesus is teaching the disciples about abiding in Him. In verse 11 Jesus says, "these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." When we abide in Jesus we have joy. So, I guess it's safe to say that when I'm not experiencing joy, I'm not abiding in Christ. Jesus has provided a way for us to walk in lasting joy. I can't say I walk in total joy everyday, but I'm thankful God has provided a way for me experience joy no matter what is going on around me. I really think the Wall Street Journal article is speaking a spiritual truth. Living for a purpose beyond our own immediate "happiness" provides deeper fulfillment than fleeting pleasures. When we are flowing in our God-given purpose (Eph 2:10) we can experience the deep-down kind of joy that far surpasses short-term happiness.
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