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Die wetenskap van geluk

Die wetenskap van geluk

Die Bybel sê:

Die wette van die HERE is reg, en diegene wat dit gehoorsaam, is gelukkig (Psalm 19:8 GNT).

Gelukkig is diegene wie se lewens onberispelik is, wat volgens die wet van die HERE leef (Psalm 119:1 GNT).

God se wette is die protokolle waarop ons Skepper lewe en gesondheid gebou het om te werk, insluitende die wette van fisika, die wette van gesondheid en die sedewette. Die Bybel sê vir ons dat geluk slegs moontlik is as ons leef in ooreenstemming met hoe ons Skepper ons gebou het om te funksioneer, as ons leef in ooreenstemming met die wette van gesondheid.

Geluk is die neweproduk van gesondheid op alle terreine – fisies, geestelik, emosioneel, verhoudingsgebonde en geestelik. Wanneer ons fisies siek is, is ons nie gelukkig nie; verstandelike- of emosionele siekte – nie gelukkig nie; verhoudingskonflik – nie gelukkig nie; geestelike siekte (skuldgevoelens, skaamte, veroordeling) – nie gelukkig nie.

Viktor Frankl – Oostenrykse neuroloog, psigiater en Holocaust-oorlewende – het geskryf:

Moenie na sukses mik nie – hoe meer jy daarna mik en dit ‘n teiken maak, hoe meer gaan jy dit mis. Want sukses, soos geluk, kan nie nagestreef word nie; dit moet volg, en dit doen dit slegs as die onbedoelde newe-effek van ‘n mens se persoonlike toewyding aan ‘n saak groter as jouself of as die neweproduk van ‘n mens se oorgawe aan ‘n ander persoon behalwe jouself. Geluk moet gebeur, en dieselfde geld vir sukses: jy moet dit laat gebeur deur nie daaroor om te gee nie. Ek wil hê jy moet luister na wat jou gewete jou beveel om te doen en voortgaan om dit na die beste van jou wete uit te voer. Dan sal jy lewe om te sien dat sukses jou op die lange duur sal volg juis omdat jy vergeet het om daaraan te dink (Man’s Search for Meaning, bll. 16, 17, my beklemtoning).

Baie mense is ongelukkig omdat hulle fisies, sielkundig, verhoudingsgewys of geestelik ongesond is, en ongelukkig sal hulle plesiersoek vervang vir geluk in ‘n poging om beter te “voel”, maar byna al sulke plesiersoeke oortree die wette van gesondheid op een of ander manier (trooseet, alkohol, dwelms, inkopies, dobbel, pornografie, troos in vlugtige verhoudings, ens.)

Weereens, geluk is die byproduk van gesondheid op alle gebiede, en gesondheid word slegs ervaar wanneer ons in harmonie is met God se ontwerpwette vir die lewe – die protokolle waarop die Skepper God die werklikheid gebou het om te werk. Wanneer ons die wette van gesondheid oortree, sal die gevolglike siekte, siektetoestand en lyding wat voorkom ons geluk ondermyn. Dit is waarom die Bybel herhaaldelik vir ons sê, “Gelukkig is dié wat God se wet onderhou!” (Spreuke 29:18 GNT).

Hoewel ons nie kan kies om “gelukkig te wees” of direk geluk te verkry nie, kan ons kies om gesond te wees en te kies om in ooreenstemming met alle aspekte van God se ontwerpwette vir lewe te leef. Ons kan kies om ons harte aan Jesus oor te gee en wedergebore te word met nuwe motiewe van liefde – liefde vir God, vir die waarheid en vir ander. Ons kan kies om ‘n lewe van waarheid na te streef wat geleef word met motiewe om te seën en lief te hê – want die waarheid is altyd die gesonde keuse. Soos ons gesondheid kies, is die byproduk steeds toenemende geluk. En die wetenskap dokumenteer die positiewe uitkomste en verband tussen God se ontwerpwette en ons gesondheid en geluk.

  • In ‘n studie van ses weke het navorsers deelnemers lukraak in ‘n kontrolegroep en twee aktiewe groepe verdeel. Een aktiewe groep moes ‘jou seëninge een keer per week op Sondae tel’, terwyl die ander aktiewe groep drie keer per week ‘jou seëninge moes tel’ – op Sondae, Dinsdae en Donderdae. Dit is gedoen deur lyste te maak van dinge waarvoor hulle dankbaar was. Die navorsers het bevind dat:
    • Diegene wat hul seëninge een keer per week getel het, het verbetering in dankbaarheid en geluk gehad, terwyl beide die kontroles en diegene wat hul seëninge drie keer per week getel het, vermindering in beide dankbaarheid en geluk gehad het.
    • Een keer per week se tel van seëninge het ‘n werklike dankbaarheid en waardering veroorsaak, terwyl dit drie keer per week ‘n desensitisering veroorsaak het waarin die lys opstel sleurwerk, ‘n taak, roetine en miskien selfs ‘n las geword het, en sodoende geluk verminder het (Lyubomirsky, S et al, “Pursuit happiness, the architecture of sustainable change.” Hersiening van Algemene Sielkunde. 2005; 9(2)111–131).
  • In ‘n studie van vier weke het navorsers deelnemers in ‘n kontrolegroep en twee aktiewe bemiddelingsgroepe geskei. Een aktiewe groep moes dade van goedhartigheid vir ander doen, terwyl die ander aktiewe groep dade van goedhartigheid vir hulself moes doen. Aan die einde van die studie, en ook op ‘n latere opvolgpunt, het navorsers bevind:
    • Diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir ander gedoen het, was gelukkiger as die kontrolegroep, maar diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir hulself gedoen het, was nie anders as die kontrolegroep nie (Nelson, SK et al., Emosies. 2016; 16(6):850–861).
    • Dade van vriendelikheid teenoor ander aktiveer breinbane wat die liggaam se streskaskade kalmeer en lei tot beter fisiese en geestelike gesondheid. Dade van vriendelikheid teenoor self het nie dieselfde voordeel nie.
  • In ‘n ander studie van vier weke wou navorsers sien of dade van vriendelikheid meer doen as om net ‘n emosionele toestand van geluk te bring. Is daar fisiese voordele aan dade van goedhartigheid? Die navorsers het deelnemers in vier groepe verdeel – ‘n kontrole groep, diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir ander moes doen, diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir die wêreld moes doen (soos om vullis langs die pad op te tel), en diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir hulself gedoen het. Hulle het toe geen (gene) reaksie in witbloedselle ondersoek om te meet of daar verskille in immuniteit was. Die navorsers het bevind dat:
    • In vergelyking met die kontrole groep het diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid vir ander verrig het, minder inflammasie ervaar en die vermoë om virusse te beveg het verbeter. Met ander woorde, geenuitdrukking het epigeneties verander om gesondheid te verbeter as gevolg van hierdie dade.
    • Maar diegene wat dade van vriendelikheid teenoor die wêreld of vir hulself gedoen het, het nie van die kontrole groep verskil nie (Nelson-Coffey, SK, et al., Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2017; 81:8-13).
  • Navorsers het ook bevind dat dade van vriendelikheid of geluk ingrypings (happiness interventions) in sommige situasies ‘n terugslag reaksie kan hê en ‘n persoon minder gelukkig kan maak. Soos:
    • Wanneer die motivering om dit te doen selfgefokus is, soos om dade van vriendelikheid te doen sodat ander meer van jou sal hou of jy bevordering of lof sal kry, ens. dus geen verbetering in geluk nie. Om die voordeel te verkry, moet die aksie voortspruit uit ‘n hartsmotief wat van plan is om ‘n ander te bevoordeel, dit wil sê uit liefde; dit is nie die daad self nie!
    • Wanneer hierdie dade ‘n las word, roetine, werk, eerder as werklike liefde.
    • Wanneer hulle ‘n mens se hart, oortuigings of huidige ingesteldheid weerspreek:
      • Soos ‘n persoon wat in kliniese depressie is en ‘n dankbaarheidslys maak; Dit kan eintlik veroorsaak dat die persoon skuldig voel of soos ‘n las vir ander voel terwyl hulle dink aan hoeveel ander vir hulle gedoen het.
      • Kulturele teenstrydighede – in sommige Oosterse kulture word die daad om ‘n mens se ouers te bedank vir ‘n goeie werk in die grootmaak van hul kinders as ‘n belediging beskou, dit wil sê asof hulle nie hul plig teenoor hul gesin sou nagekom het nie.
      • Aksies wat in stryd is met ‘n persoon se basiese persoonlikheid, soos ‘n introverte persoon wat opdrag gegee word om voor ‘n groep dankie te sê.

Geluk is slegs moontlik in harmonie met God se ontwerpwette vir die lewe, en navorsing het tot dusver getoon dat die grootste aksie wat ‘n mens kan neem wat konsekwent groter geluk meebring, is om onselfsugtig te leef, ander lief te hê en goedhartige dade teenoor ander te doen.

 

 

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Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA