Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television. This new study conducted at the University of Maryland found that unhappy people watched it more and happy people watched it less.
The researchers could not tell whether unhappy people watch more television or whether being glued to the set is what makes people unhappy.
I have a strong hunch that unhappy people just watch more TV. Because they are unhappy and do not have joy in their life, they watch more TV as a means of entertainment and to escape from their real life which is not full of rich relationships with other people and with God.
Here are a few truths from scripture on happiness and joy:
“Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” Proverbs 3:18
“I will be filled with joy because of you.I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:2
“The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart.He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8
Scripture tells us that being happy and joyful stems from the wisdom of God and from being in relationship with Him.
Are you unhappy or do you lack true inner joy or are you experiencing the contentment and resulting life full of joy that flows from a rich relationship with God? If the latter is the case, my hunch is that you don’t watch as much TV as the unhappy people do.
What do you think?
Read my earlier post about Joy, Wellbeing and Health.
Read my article titled It’s About the Relationship.
Hope Reed says
November 21, 2008 at 3:55 PMI am not sure which comes first but I do know that when I watch too much TV (more than 1 hour at a sitting) I feel TERRIBLE. I am trying to pull myself away from the TV and start doing my bible study in the evening before bed. When I am able to do that I can totally see the benefits of first not watching TV but also spending time with the Lord. Thank you for your post today. It confirmed what I was believing I should be doing anyway. Blessings!
Dale says
November 21, 2008 at 4:16 PMI appreciate your comment Hope… and thanks for sharing your struggle with this. Spending time with God certainly is the very best thing and has wonderful benefits, not the least of which makes Him smile!
My best to you!