In her article Star writes, “There are billions of people on our planet and clearly some are truly happy. The rest of us bounce back and forth between happiness and unhappiness depending on the day. We all have bad days, even weeks, when we fall down in all seven areas. The difference between a happy and unhappy life is how often and how long we stay there.”
She then goes on to list, and comment upon, the 7 habits or traits she feels are why some people are unhappy most all of the time. Here are just the titles alone:
1. Your default belief is that life is hard.
2. You believe most people can't be trusted.
3. You concentrate on what's wrong versus what's right.
4. You compare yourself to others and harbor jealousy.
5. You strive to control your life.
6. You consider your future with worry and fear.
7. You fill your conversations with gossip and complaints.
Even without much serious consideration, it appears that this author has put her finger on the main issues that explain why so many have a negative attitude about life in general. She has covered ‘nearly’ every base quite well and each reason seems logical. And it would even seem that the majority of the above reasons might be found together in most unhappy people to one degree or another. But with that said, there are just one or two things that should be added to this sad set of depressing attitudes.
First, there is absolutely no mention of God or anything spiritual in the group. Those who have God in their lives, via Jesus Christ, have been given a new heart and a whole new set of coping skills to deal with life when it is hard. Christians are promised what the Bible calls the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in Galatians 5:22. These icluded love, joy, peace and patience among other things. And they are told in Philippians chapter four to think on those things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, and positive! Mediating on these kinds of things, versus all the possible negatives, is an antidote to the list mentioned above.
Then too, there is one other item that should be number 9 on the list but was obviously absent. There is no mention at all of any thankfulness for anything or for any reason. In Hebrews 13:15-16 we read, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” And Paul records in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Life is hard and sometimes extremely hard. Everyone goes through difficulties, suffering and disappointment. And it is easy to become ‘chronically unhappy’ and stay parked there. But Christians should not and must not do so. They can do far better. They alone possess a new heart in Christ and the opportunity to be thankful to God for His salvation, blessings and the motivation to do good to others in His name. For believers, the many good things from God should outweigh the bad things from this life.
Basically, it becomes somewhat difficult to remain unhappy when one is in Christ, walking with Christ, thanking Christ and serving Christ. So numbers 1-7 on the misery list are interesting and again even understandable on some levels. But these two new numbers just added offer something more - something superior! They offer God’s alternative pathway to joy, hope, peace and a brighter outlook even in an increasingly darkening world.
According to God's word chronic unhappiness is not God's choosing, but rather our choice!
Bill Breckenridge
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