More Peace and Happiness Available

 

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

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[i] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/