I think we’re spiritually constructed to want to be useful. When someone we know is going through something difficult, how many of us have thought or said something like, “If only there was something I could do to help” or “I just want to be useful”? In a broader sense, you probably feel a strong … Continue reading Being useful makes you more content
happiness
The power of being useful
A lot of people struggle with their purpose in life. It’s a complicated issue, but one of the reasons people struggle is because they’re not sure if God exists. Historian Carl L. Becker said that humans must be looked at as “little more than a chance deposit on the surface of the world, carelessly thrown … Continue reading The power of being useful
Feeding the envy beast
We’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. Yesterday, I highlighted some studies about social media use and how it can bring down your mood. Unfortunately, by constantly seeing what people post, we can fall into a trap of perpetual comparison and envy. As a result, it can drag us down. Because of … Continue reading Feeding the envy beast
The pleasure button
Hi everyone! As many of you know, I’ve been on vacation. And after a two-week break the Up! devotional is back! On this last Monday in August let me share a thought: Dr. Robert Galbraith Heath did some research on human behaviour. Electrodes were placed on areas of patients’ brains. When a button was pushed, … Continue reading The pleasure button
The Rat Race
There's a section from a children’s book called Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH which is an insightful commentary on 1 Timothy 6:6-8 which says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we … Continue reading The Rat Race
Why joy is wiser than happiness
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt says that “people need adversity, setbacks, and perhaps even trauma to reach the highest levels of strength, fulfillment, and personal development.” I really wish that wasn’t true! After all… Who WANTS adversity? Who WANTS setbacks? And who WANTS trauma? Not me! But regardless of whether we WANT those things are not, many … Continue reading Why joy is wiser than happiness
People pleasing…
Are you a people-pleaser? A people-pleaser is someone who wants to make other people happy all the time. And that’s not always a bad thing. The problem is when your own sense of self, and even your own happiness, is too closely connected to your desire and capacity to please or appease others. I get it. As … Continue reading People pleasing…
The more instantly gratified you are…
We live in a time of instant gratification. But what if giving in to our immediate wants actually made us LESS satisfied?
Everything you need for joy
Robert Reed says this: “I have everything I need for joy.” Everything. But here’s the backstory. He was born with an illness that resulted in his hands and feet being twisted. He can’t brush his teeth by himself. Or comb his hair. Or bathe himself. But that didn’t stop him from graduating high school, or … Continue reading Everything you need for joy
Fertilizing joy
Joy. It’s listed as one of the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. That means it’s something God grows in you when you become a Christian... “love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” For some, joy grows quickly. For others, not so much. But is there anything you can do to … Continue reading Fertilizing joy
