Chapter 6 - DO MODERN STUDIES CONFIRM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HAPPINESS?

Secular research reveals that these are characteristics of happy people:

1.    Avoiding suspicion, resentment, and grudges.  

2.     Not living in the past.

3.    Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions that can’t be changed.

4.     Staying involved with the living world (not isolating).

5.    Refusing to indulge in self-pity when handed a raw deal.

6.    Cultivating old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion, and loyalty.

7.     Not expecting too much of oneself.

8.     Finding something bigger to believe in.

Alcorn points that God’s word has taught these things all along. Furthermore, only those who have trust in the sovereignty and love of God have any real basis for being able to live this way (ie - forgive others, forgive self, not worry, be genuinely involved with others, not be bitter, grow in virtue, see one self as a limited creature, and be a part of the larger kingdom of God).

Alcorn writes:

Jesus said this about not holding grudges: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).

 The apostle Paul embraced not living in the past: “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

 Jesus instructed us not to worry about things we can’t change: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. . . . Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27).

 Solomon spoke of the importance of engaging in human relationships: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

 Paul knew that contentment is the antidote to self-pity: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philippians 4:11-12).

The list of virtues described by the secular psychologists looks very similar to this one: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

 We’re reminded of our limitations and that we’re constantly in need of mercy and grace. God has willingly showered these gifts on us: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus said we should focus on what’s bigger than ourselves: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Furthermore, we are better off with others-centered humility than self-centered arrogance: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NIV).

Q - Which two of the above are the biggest drains on your happiness? (Me -  3&7).

Why not pause right now, read the corresponding verses, and pray for God to help you grow?