Our Happiness Idol
Posted in The Historical Faith and tagged with Culture, God, Happiness, Pleasure, Reading on February 9, 2010
One of my favorite things about reading books and watching movies is analyzing the worldview presented (yes, I’m one of those people). Most are easily placed in their time period based on this alone (though I always cheat and look at the publication date because it helps to interpret what the author/director is saying).
And increasingly I’ve noticed books and movies point to the fact that our culture idolizes happiness. Elizabeth Gilbert admits as much in Committed that she forsook her first wedding vows simply because she was unhappy. And most people would not fault her for it.
But God would. I don’t mean to bash Elizabeth Gilbert; God is the judge and she has obviously not the only one at fault for our happiness idol. In fact, I’m more than willing to admit that I fall on the “guilty” side in this matter: way too often my decisions (both immediate and long-term: what to do next, what to eat, where to live, etc.) are ruled by what I want simply because it’s what I want.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should don hairshirts or polar bear swim in the Atlantic. The answer is not to avoid happiness and pleasure as has been a historical Christian misinterpretation. Rather, the answer is to put happiness in it’s place.
Happiness is good and a blessing. But it’s not more important than loving God and loving others.
Thanks for reading this…I know that I needed this reminder once again.
Photo by CarbonNYC
February 9th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Goodmorning FGD…WAIT, WAIT, WAIT…Or does that have an e on the end??? How our mind does slip…This is such a good word for me…When in doubt, WAIT is the word…and later I will see why. When I am very certain, I plunge right ahead…GOD KNOW AND CARES…
February 9th, 2010 at 11:19 am
A relevant reminder for us all…
February 9th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I fall into this problem sometimes too. I’m trying to pray for God’s will and not just my happiness. I’m starting realize when people say they are “praying” for something or asking for prayer for something when it’s clearly something they want, but I don’t know if they’re actually praying for God’s will, even if it would mean them not getting what they want. Make sense? I think a lot of the “unhappiness” in society today is due to people thinking they should feel happy all the time. Or deserve happiness. Happiness is a blessing, but so are the tougher periods when God has other plans. Thanks!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:52 am
This is an excellent post and an excellent reminder! It is so easy to fall into the trap of “I’m not happy so I’ll do whatever it takes to make me happy.” It’s even being instilled in our children. When they take on something or decide to do something and decide they don’t like it, many parents simply allow them to quit instead of sticking it out. Sam and I were talking about this yesterday in fact…in the job market. One of the customers he was talking to said he’d had his job for 35 years. that’s so rare these days. We quit our jobs and move on to another one. It’s accepted because our purpose is to be happy and find ourselves. This is a cop out and should not be the way. I hope that more people will learn to lean into the struggles in their lives and trust that God will help them through it instead of quitting because they’re unhappy.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I am like you in analyzing things. And the bible is fully of people who were not in happy situations, but were totally being obedient to God, that is what he is after…in fact those following God were in hard situations ALL the time. I know you know all this so I digress.
I was thinking about you and the post you shared the other day…and I am reading this book by Linda Dillow… Calm my Anxious Heart and chapter 4 talked all about being content with out lot… the cup that God has given us. It made me think a lot about me and about your post… since you like to read, you might find it encouraging, but knowing you, you have already read it :)
February 10th, 2010 at 11:08 am
I find it interesting how in our society sooooo much is catered to how to be happier, how to achieve happiness, etc. Ironically I think if we looked around, sincerely and truly, we would find there are many idols we innocently/ignorantly don’t acknowledge as such. Good for you to bring this happiness idol into it’s proper light!
February 12th, 2010 at 7:37 am
A good word! Something to think more about as my day goes on.
April 11th, 2010 at 12:32 am
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