Happiness and the Pleasant Life
Consider this passage of scripture from John in which Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees:
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what He was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:1–10)
If one of the foundational tenets of positive psychology is to find or experience “happiness” and thus to live life so that it is pleasant, good, and meaningful, then these three constructs—pleasantness, goodness, and meaningfulness—all can impact our experience of “happiness.”
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
· Share your perspective on how positive psychology’s concept of achieving happiness compares (or doesn’t compare) with Scripture’s “Abundant Life.”
Background Information
In positive psychology, many researchers are currently exploring what it means to achieve happiness in life. Three constructs, or three different pursuits of happiness, have been posited as 1) the pleasant life, 2) the good life, and 3) the meaningful life. Each of these disparate pursuits builds upon the one before it. So we will begin this series with a discussion of the “pleasant life.”
Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, explains the pleasant life as learning to appreciate and to even “savor” the fulfillment of our basic needs such as our physical needs and even companionship. This stage of seeking happiness can lead into the next, or into the “good life.” When living out the good life, we are using our virtues and highest characteristics to enhance creativity and to bring a sense of goodness and beauty to the world and to others. This leads us to the final pursuit of happiness, the meaningful life. In living the meaningful life, we are grateful for what we have, and using our talents and virtues, we live out our lives in meaningful ways, in ways that serve others and bring purpose and meaning to our own lives as well as to the lives of others.
Instructions
1. For this devotional, read the passage from John 10 in the Information and Alignment section and what Jesus has to say to those who can hear Him, to those who can understand Him.
2. Before participating in the discussion, consider your responses to these questions:
a. In this passage, is Jesus talking about how to live a happier life?
b. Is He talking about how to live a “pleasant life” and thus to be appreciative of the most basic of needs such as companionship, physical satisfaction, and even safety?
c. Is He perhaps talking about the good life, where we use our virtues, talents, and characteristics to bring goodness to the world?
d. Finally, could this passage be talking about having a meaningful life, a life of purpose and fulfillment?
e. Or perhaps our Lord is talking about all three…or more?
3. Navigate to the threaded discussion below and respond to the following:
a. Share your perspective on how positive psychology’s concept of achieving happiness compares (or doesn’t compare) with Scripture’s “Abundant Life.”
4. Your postings should also:
a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
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