More Peace and Happiness Available
Every person who has ever
lived or will ever live has a genetic predisposition, an unmistaken longing for
greater peace and happiness. It’s interesting that with all the chaos and
contention in our world, we all have this mutual personal yearning – a cohesive,
universal thread that connects everyone – all 7.9 billion of us. That fiber is our
common denominator, a perpetual desire and pursuit of greater peace and
happiness. If it’s so pedestrian among all of humanity, how can we tell if
we’re realizing it? What does it look like when we have it? And how would it feel
as we’re achieving greater peace and happiness on a more consistent basis?
Here are some of the
delineators that signal realization of increased peace and happiness in our
lives – Less stress and less anxiety and
more organization * Less guilt * A greater need to serve others * A greater desire to be charitable * A greater focus on the things that matter most – things that promote meaningful
progress * Better relationships and repaired fractured relationships * Less anger and frustration * Better health and better
sleep * Better attitude * Brighter outlook on what the
future holds – looking forward to the future * A cleaner, calmer conscious * The ability to think clearer * More opportunities will
spontaneously come your way * You'll be more attractive to
others * You’ll have more light in your life * You’re less selfish, more selfless * You’ll feel more freedom and
have more options * You’ll experience increased thinking ability, better
problem-solving abilities, better decision making, and superior creative skills * Increased integrity and morality * You’ll experience more protection * You’ll receive more
forgiveness * You’ll have more heaven in your life – increased spiritual
direction and divine comfort * You’ll enjoy more truth and
discernment * There will be less contention in your life * Setbacks will be viewed as minimal speedbumps, ‘blessings’ that provide
learning and experience, just part of the journey – not major roadblocks that
you need to waste any time or energy
fretting over * Life will mean more, be more cherished * You’ll have fewer feelings of depression or discouragement * You’ll have less focus on material things * You’ll experience increased
clarity * Temptations will be easier to cast-off * You’ll have fewer regrets * You’ll feel more love.
Wouldn’t everyone want more
of these virtues in their lives? Can’t imagine anyone that wouldn’t!
So, if we’re not regularly recognizing
these qualities in our lives, what are we doing about it? Are we just accepting
the status quo? Or are we proactively incorporating ideas and activities that
will encourage the realization of increased peace and happiness in our lives?
How can we be engaged in pursuing and achieving increased levels of peace and happiness?
Some, when trying to justify personal
goodness, might say something like, “I’m really a good person… I’ve never
robbed a bank…” Always found that quite humorous. Like that’s the
ultimate measure of humanity’s decency! If so, join the ‘righteousness club’
along with 99.99999% of the population! It’s not very reassuring… and not the
greatest indication of deserving increased and regular peace and happiness in
your life. Just thinking you’re ‘a good person’ wouldn’t qualify someone
as warranting greater quantities of peace and happiness – it’s just hopeful
thinking.
Then how can we be more
proactive at realizing increased and consistent peace and happiness? One of the
better sources of life truth can be found in ‘The Good Book.’ Let’s explore
some verses that teach us about achieving peace and happiness (happiness is
often referred to as ‘joy,’ ‘comfort’ and ‘rest’).
Maybe the most noticeable reference
to peace is acknowledging Christ as the Prince of Peace. Following Him and His
teachings brings peace from the ultimate source of peace. There are nearly one
hundred Bible verses that reference peace in relation to Jesus Christ.
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always
by all means. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thes. 3:16).
“And my people shall dwell in a
peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places”
(Isa. 32:18).
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).
In reference to achieving
more, consistent happiness (joy, joyful, joyfulness, joyous, enjoy, comfort)
there are over two hundred and thirty verses with admonitions, advice and wise
counsel in scripture. Here are a few.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there
is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps.
16:11).
“Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants,
which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom” (1 Kgs. 10:8).
“Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”
(Matt. 11:28-30).
“And he
said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex.
33:14).
If we’re
genuine about elevating peace and happiness levels in our lives, there are
easily accessible road maps, abundant resources with established and proven
methodologies available to everyone. The choice is ours. The overall result
will depend on our sustained commitment to the objective.
Further
support for this ideology can be found in multiple studies that confirm the
reality for increased peace and happiness being enjoyed by those who maintain committed,
faith-filled belief systems. One study, from The Pew Research Center[i],
conducted a worldwide survey on this topic in over 25 countries. They
categorized respondents in three ways – actively religious, inactively
religious, and those that identify as having no religious affinity. In every
country the results were consistent, not a single exception – people who were
actively religious always reported higher volumes of happiness. In some
countries the difference was as much as 14%. Those who identified as actively
participating in their religion (all faiths and creeds) were as much as 14%
more content than those who self-reported as both non-religious and
non-participating in religion. The smallest difference in these countries still
reported a 4% improvement in increased happiness. Some other interesting findings
from the study: the actively religious (the happiest group) were generally more
likely to abstain from smoking and drinking; the actively religious are more
likely to vote; the religiously active are more likely to be physically active;
and the actively religious are more likely to be involved in other service
organizations (i.e. voluntary organizations, charities, clubs, humanitarian organizations,
and philanthropical societies).
Absolute peace and happiness, like Shangri-La is a mythical place. We can experience some heaven on earth, but eternal heaven is another place altogether – a place we look forward to residing as a unified citizenry someday. Until then, mortality by definition comes with challenges, atrocities, unfairness, inequity, suffering, injustice and evil. It’s because absolute peace and happiness is unfeasible that we’re on this lifelong quest to find more of it. Achieving greater volumes of peace and happiness is attainable, but we have to set our minds to it, live by directives that yield it, and be intentional about proactively pursuing it. Makes perfect sense that God so appropriately named His plan, ‘The Plan of Happiness’. It’s a lifelong journey but well worth it because you’ll be blessed with a reality that embraces more peace and more happiness.
With both
empirical and theoretical validation, it lends credibility to the idea of
having increased peace and happiness is not only possible, but that there’s
reliable methodology on how to realize it! With that in mind, if you could use
more peace, more happiness, what are you waiting for? If you know of someone
searching for more peace and happiness, pass this article on to them.
My wish is
that you will discover how to find and enjoy increased peace and greater
happiness in your life.
“Ask, and
it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8).
Wm. Calvin Hughes | July 29, 2023 | Lake Elsinore, CA
[i]
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/
