The happiest people on earth

"We Have No Worries"

Happiness is a moving target.  Like trying to catch a butterfly, people chase happiness through various pursuits.  Some seek to escape the problems of life through drugs or alcohol; others indulge in sports or entertainment; some amass more and more things, thinking this will unlock the treasure chest of happiness.  None of these work.

Since 2012 the United Nations has been surveying citizens of nations around the globe to find the happiest people on earth.  This year, for the second time in the brief history of this search, Denmark has been named the happiest place in the world.

One Dane was quoted as saying, "We have no worries."  Knud Christensen, the one who made that remark, is one of 5.6 million who call Denmark home.  It's a socialistic nation; residents pay high taxes, but their needs are taken care of.  They have free health care, and those who lose their jobs receive generous benefits.

Many of us are not so enamored by socialism, but it's hard to argue Christensen's logic.  If you can eliminate worries, happiness is more likely to occur.

Nearly two millennia ago Christ enacted a covenant into which all people are invited.  This covenant, which we commonly call Christianity, promises a life that is rich and blessed.  In fact, that word "blessed" is a key term for those who follow Christ.

You probably know about the Beatitudes, a series of statements Jesus made in which He declared various people "blessed".  He mentioned the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness - even those who are persecuted for Christ's sake (Matthew 5:3-12).  The word "happy" is sometimes substituted for the word "blessed" by other translations of the Bible.

The amazing thing about the Beatitudes - and this points to the nature of Christ's kingdom in general - is that this feeling of blessedness may be enjoyed by people whom society typically shoves aside.  A prime example can be found in Luke 7, where Jesus forgives and blesses a woman who was shunned by her neighbors.  Jesus sent her away with the words, "Go in peace" (Luke 7:36-50). Do you think she was happy?

Happiness?  The highest form is found in people who know they are forgiven of their sins, who know that God is with them in all circumstances of life (see Hebrews 13:5,6).  The lives of Jesus' followers are not without problems.  But these blessed people know that they have help available, no matter what.

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. ... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11,13).

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2016, Timothy D. Hall