Life Lessons: Happiness and Sadness - Eight Points to Consider

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Life Lessons

Happiness and Sadness - Eight Points to Consider

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All human beings want to be happy, yet for many people it seems to be the most elusive of human conditions. 

A person can spend a lifetime in pursuit of happiness and never find it.  Solomon searched for happiness in the accumulation of wealth, in the arms of many beautiful women, in music and finery, even in the abuse of alcohol.  In the end, he concluded that obeying God was the most important key to happiness (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; also read Ecclesiastes 1-2).

Points to Build On

1. Contentment comes from a relationship with God.

Proverbs 14:14 - "The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways.  But a good man will be satisfied from above."

A key to happiness is the ability to be content regardless of what's happening around us.  This contentment comes from a close relationship with God and is achieved by spending time in prayer, Bible study and meditating on God and His ways.

2. The human condition is a mixture of happiness and sadness.

Proverbs 14:13 - "Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief."

It is important to keep a perspective that joy, happiness, sadness and grief are all human emotions that everyone experiences from time to time.

3. Anxiety is a root of depression while serving others can lift depression.

Proverbs 12:25 - "Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad."

A source of depression is anxiety and worry.  Depression can become so debilitating that a person no longer has the energy to face life's problems.  This leads to more worry and anxiety.  A key to breaking this cycle is to change your perspective by doing good works for others.

4. Delayed success can cause discouragement.

Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

5. Sadness breeds loneliness.

Proverbs 14:10 - "The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy."

Life is meant to be shared in close relationships with others.  Bitterness tends to drive a person to avoid others and shun the encouragement he or she needs.  Close friends and relatives can help carry the burden of sadness.

6. Negative emotions cause physical health problems, while positive emotions cause good health.

Proverbs 17:22 - "A merry heart does good like a medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."

Proverbs 18:14 - "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?"

7. Emotions are communicated in our expressions and posture.

Proverbs 15:13 - "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

8. Treating others' depression or discouragement lightly will make their hurt worse.

Proverbs 25:20 - "Like the one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart."

Application

Happiness and sadness are experiences in each person's life.  Contentment, a vital key to happiness, begins with a close relationship with God.

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Comments

  • KARS

    Irini,
    Your are right, there is no in between. One will either follow God the Father or they won't. You have chosen to follow Him. I can honestly tell you that the instructions in the New Testament to live by example is the best way. We cannot force anyone to change. We can only change ourselves. We pray for our loved ones; we teach our children about God, about His beautiful creation. We take our children to see what He made.
    By going outdoors, for say, 15 minutes with the kids can be a special time of learning. Don't think you are trapped in a box for you are not. Find beautiful things to do with the kids like an easy puzzle, coloring, scribbling, making a necklace out of noodles and string. There are so many things you can do. Just remember the fun arts and crafts you did as a kid. Do you remember any special times and places you went to as a kid? I took my children to the Library, the museums and the park. We went to visit relatives. During growing season plant a garden together.

  • irini_limaj

    Thank you both for your comments. It helps to know you are not alone and you have good advises for me. I am a mother of 3 little kids and this is how I changed. I started worrying the day I became a mother but all mothers do, they say. But now the more I keep God in mind the sadder I get about the others. I live in a country that has been isolated for a long time and my parents generation believe in science not God cause their brain has such a hard time accepting it and they are not much open to discussion. My husband is a moderate believer, but I am reading the bible and wanting to accept it all cause I don't think I can pick and choose, I either believe it all, or not at all. I am being judgmental maybe but I want them all to believe and change cause that is not only the right thing to do but also it is so much better for you and society. People had a chance to use their questionable moral values and laws and look at where they brought us so why not give God a chance...I really should pray and trust God will be merciful with me and them...but I also feel like I am not helping them. I am not scared I am just sad. But you are right I am focusing so much on the doom that I have forgotten to smell the roses and enjoy my day with my kids. I have also started some vitamin B complex, it has helped me before with my sleep disorder so I am sure it will again, if my kids let me :)
    thank you so much again. God bless

  • KARS

    Hi irini & Sabrina,
    Let's work on these winter blues first of all. Here is one solution you may want to try. But before I do tell you, I will tell you a little about myself.

    I use to have severe depression for about 18 years. Like Sabrina said with God help, the articles, blogs, breaking free forums, these can help in the long run.

    As for the physical conditions. For you stomach, tea, like Sleepytime, Sweet Dreams, calming teas with mint to settle your stomach at night. Cut back on sweets, like, soda, richly sweet desserts, ice cream, etc. Exercise is important for everyones circulation. Just walk. It's free of charge, go outdoors and like the old saying goes:"And smell the roses." Here is another one in song. "Inch worm, Inch worm, measuring the Marigolds. Seems to me you'd stop and see how beautiful they are."

    That is what we need to do. Stop and see the beauty of God our Father's creations. Walk, take in nice calms breathes, write in a journal what you see and how you feel. I once had the opportunity at the lake to see a bald eagle fly overhead with a seagull around the lake twice side by side. After they landing in two separate trees. The eagle flew away into the sunset. Awesome! Also proper diet and plenty of water. If you don't like water, add flavoring.

    As for sleeping disorders you can try an over the counter medicine called Unisom Natural Nights. It is Calicum, Vitamin B6 and Melatonin. I began the treatment about a week ago and I feel so much better.
    Beware: Like with all medications make sure to read the paperwork. You don't want to mix prescriptions together that shouldn't be taken together.

    In prayer and journaling we can cast our burdens upon the Lord and He will guide the way through the scriptures for healing and comfort.

    Perhaps to get started you can type in the search box the word "Worrying". See what you come up with.
    You will be in my prayers.
    Sincerely,
    K.

  • Sabrina Peabody

    Hi irini_limaj,

    I also can get into the habit of worrying too much, not feeling like I am saying the right things and wishing I could help others more. I find putting my trust in God and then focusing on things that I can control helps me. When dealing with stress, I would consider getting into the habit of walking and spending that time thinking on positive things, things to be thankful for and the beauty of creation. There are many things online that can give tips on how to deal with stress too. I also like reading Psalms when I have a heavy heart.

    I think it's good to remember that we are not perfect and there will be times when we feel like we have not succeeded. The important part is that we ask God to show us the lesson, learn it and hopefully do better in the future. There are many articles and sermons on the UCG website that can provide encouragement and comfort. You can enter some key words in the search and you will find many resources. I hope you find some that help you!

  • irini_limaj

    This is so helpful for me. I feel like I have a good relationship with God, I pray, I meditate but I don't have people to discuss about this...I worry too much about my family members, I feel sad for them cause I think they are clueless and I feel like I can't help them. I am feeling sick by this, physically sick. I have back pain and loss of sleep and pain in my abdomen that was concluded to be from stress. I worry, but why, I am not afraid for myself, although I am not sure how God will find me but I worry more about my kids, my husband, my parents and my brother. In fact my brother has been diagnosed with depression and I try to help him but I guess I never find the right things to say. I mean I pray about this, about them and I still find peace only for a while and most of the day I have a heavy heart. I see people on the street and they have little kids and they seem so clueless and I feel sad for them too. I have to stop doing this, I mean I have to let it in the hands of God, I can not control anything and I have to trust His judgment and love but I don't always succeed at it.

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