Finding Peace (James Rochford)

As a whole, our culture today is experiencing a decline in happiness and an increase in anxiety and depression. Often, we buy into cultural myths about what will cure our unhappiness; but as we turn to things like social media, romantic love, and materialism, we find that unhappiness only increases. Our hunger for love and significance can only be truly satiated by a relationship with Jesus Christ, which is grounded in reality and not based on comparison or performance.

Our culture today is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Research shows that many of the things we believe will make us happy actually offer no long-term satisfaction. Scientific studies confirm the Biblical values that happiness is found in relationships, gratitude, and generosity. The Bible also teaches that we are unable to change ourselves at the fundamental heart level and that we need a relationship with Jesus Christ to transform us from the inside out.

Research shows that 60% of our happiness depends on genetics and, to a lesser extent, circumstances. This means that our actions account for 40% of our happiness. We can improve our happiness through exercise, recognizing and avoiding cognitive distortions, and finding transcendent meaning. The Bible teaches that we can find truth and meaning in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who came that we might have abundant life.