Pastor’s Paragraph - August 20, 2020
Joy is Fruit of the Spirit
I recently completed auditing a course from Yale University called The Science of Happiness. It was based on a lot of research, part of which was the basis for a book The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn. You can get a quick highlight of her ideas on her Ted Talk. All of this reminded me of the Christian concepts set out by Richard Foster. Foster claims that one of the disciplines of the Christian is choosing simplicity for our lives.
In a nutshell the science of happiness states that we often expect happiness to come from making more money, having more things, and advancing in a career. These, of course, are not bad achievements but In reality, according to huge amounts of research, these accomplishments provide shorter lived happiness. Not only are these accomplishments less fulfilling but our minds reinforce these false happiness beliefs with unreliable predictions that success gives the greater happiness.
One study in particular measured the happiness people received when they were given money but told they had to give it away. The pleasure they received from giving away money was significant in intensity as well as being long lasting. Foster also mentions the habit of giving things away as a key to simplicity.
One way we can intentionally transition to more fulfilling accomplishments is through habit formation. So, according to the research, we need to: seek and invest in experiences that include character strength, morals, kindness, connections, and compassion. We also need to reinforce these desires by savoring the experiences and being aware of our gratitude for them.
I find great spiritual peace in finding that psychological research often is in agreement with spiritual wisdom. The difference between the two is that we are seeking and experiencing joy for Christ-likeness rather than for personal fulfillment.
Gal. 5: 22-3: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
