On Sunday, Nov. 2nd, the News & Observer ran this article on the pursuit of happiness.

The Pursuit of Happiness by Jon Gertner.

I am always very curious about this topic, because of my belief in Christian Hedonism - that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. A Christian's duty is to pursue pleasure/happiness/delight/satisfaction in God for His glory and our joy.

The article is written on studies being done by Daniel Gilbert, a pyschology professor at Harvard. The studies find that people are not good judges of what will bring them happiness. People overestimate the amount of happiness an event or thing will produce (a new car, new job, new home, etc.). He asks this question, "Which week is more fun: the week before Christmas or the week after Christmas?"

The studies also find that people overestimate how unhappy they will be when considering negative events.

God is the best judge of what will bring us happiness. In fact, He is the greatest happiness.

Want happiness? He's the Source of all happiness. When God has first place and He is the premier pleasure of your life, then everything else is so much more delightful. Sunsets are more beautiful, wine more tasty, and relationships more satisfying.

Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

1Tim. 6:17 "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

Enjoy More!

- posted by Kendrick @ 8:11 AM