“The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable.” –The Adventist Home, p. 493

We are continuing our series of health articles on the topic of happiness. Last month we learned that higher levels of happiness can be achieved if we have resilience. We learned that certain habits improve resilience, including developing close relationships with others. We learned that our connection with God allows us to endure and even find happiness in trials and difficulties. This month we will continue to examine Bible principles, and how they improve our happiness.

PHYSICAL HEALTH HABITS

In the first happiness article, we learned that happiness improves our physical health. But, the reverse is also true. When we take care of our physical health by engaging in healthy habits, this will also promote happiness. A number of studies looked at the connection between certain habits designed to improve our physical health, and their relationship to happiness. Let us look at some of these habits.

The happiest people sleep eight hours a night. In the United States, 42% of adults get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep a night. Exercise boosts endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are natural mood enhancers. New research also shows that working the body’s muscles makes the brain more resilient. Brain cells can be damaged by stress, leading to a decreased ability of the brain to respond appropriately to stress. Physical exercise builds new brain cells, and improves our ability to manage stress. People with low levels of a brain chemical called serotonin can suffer with depression. Exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin which improves our mood.

Just the simple act of maintaining a good posture can boost our positive emotions. Those who stood up straight felt more enthusiastic, excited and strong. Those with poor posture were more fearful, passive and tired. Smiling lowers one’s heart rate during recovery from stress; smiling also is associated with a smaller drop in positive emotions during stress. In our diet, Omega-3 fatty acids are proven to decrease risk of mental illness. Overall, taking care of our physical health will improve our happiness.

The Spirit of Prophecy provides us with the guidelines that we need to adhere to for our physical health and happiness. Let us review some of the quotes from Ellen White:

“Excessive indulgence in eating, drinking, sleeping, or seeing is sin. The harmonious healthy action of all the powers of body and mind results in happiness; and the more elevated and refined the powers, the more pure and unalloyed the happiness.” –Child Guidance p. 394

“A healthful sleeping room, a thoroughly clean kitchen, and a tastefully arranged, wholesomely supplied table will go farther in securing the happiness of the family. . . than any amount of expensive furnishing in the drawing room.” –Ibid., p. 365

“So closely is health related to our happiness that we cannot have the latter without the former.” –A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education, p. 33

Children need to learn these healthy habits from a young age. The habits formed in childhood will follow a person throughout their lives. Bad habits can doom a person to ill health and misery. However, forming good habits will ensure health and happiness. “The future happiness of your families and the welfare of society depend largely upon the physical and moral education which your children receive in the first years of their life.” –Child Guidance, p. 103

LABOUR

What was one of the first things that God gave to man after He created him? “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15. Every study on happiness indicates that those who work are happier than those who do not. Idleness also brings many temptations. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” 1 Timothy 5:13. If God knew that man would be happy living a life of leisure, He would have given it to him. Every need would have been supplied, without man having to strive to provide for himself. But, God knew that man would not be happy in this state. “Had happiness consisted in doing nothing, man, in his state of holy innocence, would have been left unemployed.  But He who created man knew what would be for his happiness; and no sooner had He created him than He gave him his appointed work.” –The Adventist Home, p. 27

“Those who regard work as a curse, attended though it be with weariness and pain, are cherishing an error. The rich often look down upon the working classes, but this is at variance with God’s purpose in creating man. Adam was not to be idle. Our Creator, who understands what is for man’s happiness, appointed Adam his work. The true joy of life is found only by working men and women. The Creator has prepared no place for stagnating indolence.” –From Eternity Past, p. 20

We are given strong warnings against laziness and slothfulness in the Bible. “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15. “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. We are not to expect to eat if we do not work. We must not be a burden on others by living an idle life. We must provide for ourselves, and also those of our household. The Bible uses strong words against those who do not provide for their families—they are worse than infidels.

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over by thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw it, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 24:30–34

As Christians, we learned earlier that we are to strive for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. But, along the way, as we move towards our heavenly goal, we have duties and responsibilities to fulfil. We have to take care of our families, we have to help those who are lonely, who are hungry and in want. But, does this create a life of drudgery? No; Sister White tells us that “Life’s happiness is bound up with faithfulness in common duties.” –The Adventist Home, p. 89

“The sentence that man must toil for his daily bread, and the promise of future happiness and glory, both came from the throne, and both are blessings. Poverty, in many cases, is a blessing.” –Child Guidance, p. 342

“God ordained that the beings He created should work. Upon this their happiness depends. . . Our happiness increases and our powers develop as we engage in useful employment.” –Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 75

We should not begrudge the hard work we must perform to provide for ourselves and our families. God has given labour to us as a blessing; we ought to be thankful to God every morning as we rise and we have useful employment to occupy our day, and thank Him again every night when we go to rest, weary yet fulfilled from the day’s labours.

FINDING PURPOSE

Few people know what they really want out of life. However, human beings need more than to just survive for them to feel any degree of self-worth, happiness or enthusiasm. Without a goal to aim for, people are not likely to find their life fulfilling, or even tolerable. We need a destination, a purpose, no matter what age we are. The feeling of there being a purpose to one’s existence provides that person with better strategies to deal

with difficult, sometime tragic experiences, which is a factor that protects from depression symptoms. People with no sense of purpose have feelings of hopelessness, which can lead to taking one’s life. Purposeful living is linked to many aspects of physical wellbeing, including a longer life, lower risk of disease, better sleep and focus on healthier behaviours.

One who does not believe in God struggles with finding purpose in a life that is fragile, transient, and whose final end is death. However, the Christian does not have this same struggle. Inherent in the Christian life is a purpose that is defined by God’s will for us, and it transcends this mortal life.

Jesus’ life is our example. He had a purpose in coming down to this earth from heaven, to save man from his sins. He also showed us in His daily life, how we ought to live, as His followers. “From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose. He lived to bless others.” –Child Guidance, p. 51

“Christ came to the world to reveal the love of God. His followers are to continue the work which He began. Let us strive to help and strengthen one another. Seeking the good of others is the way in which true happiness can be found. Man does not work against his own interest by loving God and his fellow men. The more unselfish his spirit, the happier he is, because he is fulfilling God’s purpose for him.” –Christian Service, p. 24. “It is God’s purpose that each shall feel himself necessary to others’ welfare, and to seek to promote their happiness.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 339

Not only does the Bible give us direction on how to live our life on earth, but we are also striving for a home that is better than anything we can find on this earth. This purpose brings about a happiness that many seek for in worldly attainments, yet are unable to find. And, as we look for a better life in heaven, we are also told that we will find joy on this earth. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there is pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“A knowledge of the truth depends not so much upon strength of intellect as upon pureness of purpose, the simplicity of an earnest, dependent faith. . . The good-ground hearer, in receiving the word, accepts all its conditions and requirements. His habits, customs, and practices are brought into submission to God’s word. . . . With the whole heart, with undivided purpose, he is seeking the life eternal, and at the cost of loss, persecution, or death itself, he will obey the truth.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 60

How do we prepare for this future home? “The heart in which the love of Christ abides will constantly manifest more and more refinement; for the spring of life is love to God and man. Christ is Christianity. This is glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. This is the carrying out of God’s purpose.” –Gospel Workers, p. 282. We are to develop the character of Christ; this is the work of a lifetime. We cannot for one minute, turn our focus away from this goal. But the end result is eternal happiness.

We also can be free of worry when we do God’s will. He tells us that our needs shall be supplied, when our purpose is focused on attaining characters fit for heaven. We may not have the luxuries that the world identifies with happiness; however, nothing that we need in order to survive will be lacking.  “Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat, or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? . . . For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things… but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31–33

Often when people retire, they die quickly when they lose purpose and meaning in their lives. Many think that the elderly should have less responsibilities as they do not have the energy they once did. However, having a purpose in life helps people maintain their function and independence as they age. People who reported having goals and a life with a sense of meaning were less likely to have weak grip strength and slow walking speeds—two signs of declining physical ability and risk factors for disability, including the development of Alzheimer’s.

Sister White spoke about this regarding Elder Smith. “I feel very tender towards Elder Smith. My life interest in the publishing work is bound up with his. He came to us as a young man, possessing talents that qualified him to stand in his lot and place as an editor… When, some years ago, his name was placed second, I felt hurt. When it was again placed first, I wept and said, ‘Thank God.’ May it always be there, as God designs it shall be, while Elder Smith’s right hand can hold a pen. And when the power of his hand fails, let his sons write at his dictation.” –Publishing Ministry, p. 29

GRATITUDE

Many people focus on the negative aspects of their lives. They complain about their jobs, their spouses, their children, they complain about how little time they have to do things they enjoy, they complain about the weather, and the list goes on. Are these people who continually complain worse off than those others who do not complain? No; they tend to have similar problems that others have who are less complaintive. Yet, those who complain are always unhappy. They look at the things in their life that are not as they would like, and they ignore the positive aspects of their lives. They may complain about their job, forgetting that there are those who do not even have a job, they complain about their spouses and children, yet forgetting that there are those who are completely alone, they complain about the amount of duties they have to perform, forgetting that idle hands are often used in pursuing the wrong types of pleasures.

Gratitude is simple. Look to the positive aspects of your life, count your blessings. And even if you are going through a difficult, stressful time, gratitude will turn your focus from your problems to the good things that God has given you. Appreciating life buffers a lot of the stress we endure. Start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you are grateful for. Gratitude is the most changeable character strength with the most positive impact on a person. People who are regularly grateful are generally happier and healthier.

Expressions of gratitude towards others strengthen relationships. Start with your family. Even though you feel that your family members are “expected” to perform certain duties, still praise them for what they have done. And be specific about what you are grateful for; this has more meaning than general comments about being grateful for someone’s presence in your life.

Paul was grateful to his fellow believers and he often thanked them in the letters he wrote to them. In Philippians 1:3–5 he writes, “I thank God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, he also thanks his brethren, and goes into detail as to why he is thankful for them, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” These expressions of gratitude would have lifted the spirits of those who were also labouring in the cause of the gospel, during a time of persecution and hardship. Paul went through many trials during his missionary journeys, but his letters did not complain about his circumstances. They were always full of hope, seeing beyond this world’s hardships, to a better life through Christ, and encouraging his brethren, letting them know that they are constantly in his prayers.

Who do we owe the most gratitude towards? Is it not the One who gave us life, who sustains us, who comforts us, who strengthens us, who gave His own life for us? Gratitude to our Saviour, who loves us unconditionally, who only wishes good things for us, will strengthen our relationship with Him, and will bring us joy in knowing that He will care for us, no matter what life brings us. David tells us, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

Our happiness is a choice. The Spirit of Prophecy has a warning for those who refuse to show gratitude to God. “You do not cherish love to God and gratitude of heart for all the blessings which your kind heavenly Father has bestowed upon you. You see only the discomforts of life. A worldly insanity shuts you in like heavy clouds of thick darkness. Satan exults over you because you will have misery when peace and happiness are at your command.” –The Adventist Home, p. 112

As you are reading this article, think of something that you are grateful for. Write it down. And then refer back to it during times of stress and hardship. It will lift your spirit, knowing that despite challenges in life, you also have many blessings that God has provided for you. And it is those blessings that we need to focus on. We are not seeking for a life on this earth that is filled with comfort and ease. “But now [we] desire a better country, that is, an heavenly.” Hebrews 11:16. And when we seek for the eternal home where “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4), we will find that life here can also be filled with happiness.

“Religion tends directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing fountain of happiness. . . . No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best, and who plans for the good of His creatures.” –Christian Education, p. 68

NEXT MONTH: HOW DO DIVINE PRINCIPLES PROMOTE HAPPINESS? PART 3