Happiness
Introduction. What
is Happiness? Is it a constant feeling that all is well? Is it smiling all
the time? Is it a peace of mind through all circumstances?
o
Aristotle said, “More than anything else, men and women seek
happiness.”
o
“The constitution only guarantees the American people the right
to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself” (Benjamin Franklin).
Psychology has focused much attention on depression, grief,
and unhappiness but until recently little research has been done on the subject
of happiness.
I. What Brings Happiness?
A. Modern
research believes circumstances such as our job, income, health, positive
social conditions, and pleasant circumstances account for only about 10% of
what determines if one person is happy, and another person is unhappy.
B. Most
of what determines happiness is the result of intentional activity—i.e. things
you choose to do (Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD. Professor of Psychology, UC
Riverside).
C. It
is believed that the chemical process that goes on in the brain that
contributes to the emotional feelings associated with happiness are influenced
by physical activity.
D. The adage
“use it or lose it” seems to apply to happiness as well as other physical
abilities. The deliberate choice of activities that contribute to happiness
help preserve the ability to be happy (P. Read Montigue PhD., Professor of
Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine and Gregory Berns, MD. PhD., Professor
of Psychiatry, Emory University).
II. What Does the Bible
Say About Happiness?
A. Comes
from a relationship with God (Ps. 146:5).
B. Comes
from trusting the Lord (Prov. 16:20).
C. Happy
people are not always people who have no problems. Often the happiest people
are those who have learned how to take horrible circumstances and refuse to
allow them to destroy them. For the Christian this demands trust in the Lord.
D. I saw a
documentary entitled Happy that featured a woman who had been in a
horrible traffic accident in which her face was destroyed by being dragged by a
truck in the gravel. Her marriage was destroyed, her life changed forever—but
she was one of the happiest people you would ever meet.
E. Comes
from reverence toward God (Prov. 28:14).
F. Comes
from keeping God’s law (Prov. 29:18).
G. Comes
from being corrected by God (Job 5:17).
H. Comes from
eating from the work of our hands (Ps. 128:2).
1
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Professor Psycholgy Claremont
Graduate University, has written a book entitled Flow: The Psychology of
Optimal Experience (Harper & Row, 1990), which argues that happiness is
often connected with activities that people find that give them a sense of
focus. Much like an athlete who “gets in the zone”—it might be a hobby, an
goal, a project—it allows the person who gets into “the flow” to lose a focus
on trouble, worries, or even self.
I.
Comes from the blessing of children (127:5).
J.
Modern research has shown that some of the happiest people are those who
have family and friends that impact our life on a regular basis (Dr. Ed.
Deiner, Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois).
K. This
draws us out of ourselves and changes our focus.
L. Comes
from finding wisdom (Prov. 3:13).
M. Comes from
kindness to others (Prov. 14:21).
N. Psychologists
speak of those who are intrinsically or extrinsically motivate.
Extrinsic motivations are things like mony, image, and status.
Intrinsic motivations are things like personal growth, relationships, and
community feeling (i.e. a desire to help). Those extrinsically motivated
are statistically more discontent—less happy. (Tim Kasser, PhD, Professor of
Psycholgy, Knox University).
O. Comes
from guarding what we allow ourselves to “approve” (Rom. 14:22).