On January 17, 2005, this title emblazoned the cover of Time Magazine: “The Science of Happiness.”
On December 5, 2008, the Associated Press released this article: “Smile! Study Says Happiness is Contagious.”
And the entire January/February 2012 issue of the Harvard Business Review was dedicated to: “The Value of Happiness.”
For over a decade now, a large group of scientists and researchers have turned their attention to the study happiness.
Some of their findings are valuable to know:
- Happy people live longer. In one study, the happiest group lived nine years longer than the unhappiest group. When you consider that cigarette smoking can shorten one’s life three to six years, depending on how much a person smokes, it becomes clear the effect of happiness is huge.
- Once the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter are taken care of, extra riches do not make people happier. Scientists think it’s because we adapt to pleasure, and it quickly wears off.
- Relationships are key. The wider and deeper the relationships, the happier we’re going to be.
As the researchers have studied happy people, they have discovered common characteristics. Happy people tend to:
A. Notice more of the positive details of their lives. These people have learned how to savor the small, joyful moments as well as the memorable, euphoric ones.
B. Appreciate more. Grateful people even sleep better!
C. Think optimistically. Those who have a sense of purpose, who look forward with hopeful expectation to the future, are more satisfied with their lives.
D. Give generously of their time and resources. Researchers discovered that it was the giver who actually reaped more benefits than the receiver.
E. Empathize with others. They have learned to put themselves in the place of others, in order to understand their situations. They genuinely care about others and demonstrate compassion. Researchers found that compassion contributes to health and more productive living. The side effect? Happiness.
As I’ve perused these findings, I couldn’t help but smile. Everything secular research is “discovering” about happiness is already laid out in scripture!
Take the three findings mentioned above.
1. Happy people enjoy a longer life. God says, “With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). Also, “Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity” (Proverbs 3:1-2). In other words, long life and prosperity come to those who know God and obey his Word. In fact, as his children (those who have received Jesus into their lives), we have eternal life to look forward to!
2. Riches do not guarantee happiness. Solomon figured that out eons ago. “I denied myself nothing,” he said. “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
3. Relationships are key. The most important and valuable relationship we can have is with Jesus. When we accept him into our lives, he calls us friends (John 15:15). Jesus wants to give us life to the full (10:10) so that our joy may be complete (15:11). Relationships with other Christians can also be highly gratifying. The bonds of faith and friendship forge a deep familial connection (Proverbs 18:24b).
Scripture also verifies the five characteristics of happy people:
A. Attention — to the positive details of life. The psalmists were masters at drawing our attention to the beauty and grandeur of creation, God’s amazing ability to engineer circumstances, and His glorious attributes at work in our lives. We would be wise to do the same.
B. Gratitude. Paul instructed us, “Rejoice in the Lord always…In everything, by prayer…with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7). Is not peace of mind closely related to happiness? Surely we cannot have one without the other.
C. Optimism. The Christian’s optimism is not based on wishful thinking. We have a strong foundation for our hope: God himself. David affirmed that truth when he wrote, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5). And what is the result of that hope? “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God…the Lord, who remains faithful forever” (Psalm 146:5-6).
D. Generosity. The researchers almost echo word for word what Jesus taught: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
E. Empathy. Compassion is an extension of generosity. As we give attention, understanding, and care to others, we experience a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our spirits. It is not only more blessed to give money or material goods, it is more blessed to give of ourselves.
One neuroscientist involved in the study of happiness said…
… happiness could best be described as a state of contentment.
And A.W. Pink, author of Comfort for Christians wrote…
“Contentment is the product of a heart resting in God.”
That, my friends, is the key to happiness: resting in God.
(Photo credits: newpathwaytohealing.com ; lifeingeneral.blogspot.com ; rncentral.com ; zazzle.com ; my.opera.com)
From the Inside Out 
Well said, Nancy. And may I add that these things are all deliberate choices that we can make for ourselves each and every day. All too often I hear excuses like, “I’m just a worrywart, a pessimist, etc. I was born this way, or I was treated poorly so I am bitter. etc.” As a reformed pessimist, I say choose to rest in God, to give thanks, to show empathy and generosity. Choose to live!
You’re so right–happiness is a choice, as Dr. Paul Meier and Dr. Frank Minirth made clear in their book by that title. I’m nodding my head here in agreement with your observation that we’re too quick to make excuses for ourselves, because of natural tendencies. And I say “Oh, yes!” to your last sentence: “Choose to live.” How foolish I can be when I choose worry, negativity, or frustration over a life of peace and joy in my God! Thank you, Rebeca, for your perceptive insights.
Amen, Nancy! Thank you!
You are so welcome, Diana. I’m delighted you found the post worthwhile.
Nancy, isn’t it interesting how science and research end up echoing what God has already said? The last line about resting in God being true happiness is the truest thing I heard. Thanks for sharing your ‘gleanings’ with us.
You’re welcome, Jody. I’m still on the learning curve of learning to rest, but I’ve experienced enough of life to know that A.W. Pink is right. Thank you for stopping by!
well this blog post made me happy. I do a workshop on optimism and health and happiness and have used those articles you mentioned. But I love how you brought in the Bible verses too. Well done and much happiness to you!
Thank you, Jean! I’m smiling here, because again, you and I are on the same wave-length. ‘Glad you enjoyed the scriptures. I pray God’s blessings upon you as you write, revise, and edit. May the work be a joy!
This reminds me when I took a customer relationship class many years ago. The topic was ESP. The instructor said E is for Empathy, S is for Sympathy, and P is for Patience. it has stayed in my mind ever since. I think how much empathy, sympathy and patience God has with me everyday, it makes the load of the day a happier one. Thanks again Nancy. God bless you.
I’m all for acronyms that help us remember important info! ESP is a great one for how to treat others–and well-supported by scripture! You’re right: remembering how God treats us, in spite of our shortcomings and sins, helps us do the same for others. Thank you, Laura, for your insights!
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Thank you for the ping back!
The bottom line…’happiness is a choice’. What a powerful thought. The most difficult thing that I struggle with is ‘resting’ in the Lord. And it all goes back to my own bad habit of taking my worries to the Lord…then snatching them right back! The part of your post that grabbed me the most is that lack of happiness shortens once life. That is the devil using STRESS (in my case) to induce sleeplessness and restlessness, getting in between me and my Saviour! And I allow it! I will endeavor to CHOOSE to leave things with my Lord, rest in Him, and be a happier person. Thank you SO MUCH for this wonderful post!…
You are SO welcome, Cheri! I am right with you in that struggle of taking back what I’ve just taken to the Lord. Just the first two steps alone–attention and gratitude–can make a big difference, occupying our minds on positive things. Thank you for your positive input here. Your encouragement always makes me happy!!
I think I’m going to have to start avoiding the state of our great country. It stresses me out and takes away time that I could be spending in comfort and security dwelling upon the Lord. After all, He is IN CONTROL! (Sometimes things make me physically ill; that is probably the Lord telling me to step away from the mess…) Instead, I think whenever I get ‘down’ out the world situation I’ll send up a prayer!
The political scene can wreak havoc in our minds and spirits, but it’s important to stay informed. (And I know you do!) I think you’ve hit on the answer, though. As we read and watch the news, we can do so with a prayerful spirit, lifting up the people involved, and praying scripture over them. A good place to start might be Psalm 34:13-14 — Oh, God, keep their tongues from evil and from speaking lies. Turn them from evil to good. Guide them to seek peace and pursue it. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Affirming God’s sovereignty is another important strategy for maintaining contentment.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Cheri!