Who Are The Happy People? Married People!
I’ve been reading studies lately that show married people of faith who are regular church attendees are, by far, happier than single, faithless, non-church goers.
According to a recent Gallup poll, the level of very satisfied
Americans in 2007 is the highest since 2001.
Out of the Americans satisfied with their lives, 59 percent expressed they are very satisfied, while 25 percent say they are somewhat satisfied.
Those who attend church weekly, married adults, those in higher income households, whites, and Republicans are most likely to say they are currently satisfied and happy with their lives, according to the Gallup Poll.
A full 84 percent of Americans say they are satisfied with their personal lives, with 14 percent saying they are dissatisfied.
This level of satisfaction is consistent with past results measured by Gallup, which averaged about 82 percent.
Two-thirds of Americans who are married or attend church regularly report being very happy or very satisfied with life. The finding should not come as a surprise, according to Mike McManus with Marriage Savers.
“If you watch sitcoms like ‘Friends’ it seems that the happiest are the people jumping in bed with someone new every Friday night. But the data shows just the opposite. People who are faithful to each other and to the laws of God are the people who are happiest.”
Bob Lapine, co-host of Family Life Today, says the study does not mean married couples or Christians lack challenges.
“Everybody is going to have storms in marriage. What’s different is the foundation and that’s where I think we look to the Scriptures and to the Spirit of God to provide a stable foundation that helps our house stand in the midst of those storms.”
So what do I conclude from these polls? God’s ways still make people happier than the current mores of the world. It’s always been that way, and I think it always will be that way, no matter what we see on the media.
Psalm 37:4 teaches: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Isn’t that the desire smoldering in the heart of each of us – to be be happy?
(c)2008 April Lorier Perspective
4 comments:
Great article April. I agree that when we are faithfully serving God than we are satisfied and genuinely happy. Our life make sense and we are on track and can stand firm in the storms of life. Keep up the great work.
By George, I think she's got it! Yes, living God's way will produce happiness. Living like the world will not.
Thanks for commenting!
I definitely say "Amen" that God’s ways will always make people happier, especially married couples like me. He's the one who always helps resolve issues between us.
By the way, I also put a link to your blog from mine. God bless!
Thank you, Chin chin! Yes, when both partners in a marriage are equally committed to Christ, the marriage will last. THAT's what I have learned as a divorcee!