"We've Found a Better Way..."

A couple of years ago I came across the results of a study that had recently been performed concerning the relationship between divorce and happiness. I can't find my copy of the study to give you the exact numbers but its' findings were something like this:

People were asked to rate their marriage from "one" (Total disaster) to "five" (Heaven on Earth). Measurements were taken of the participants' overall "happiness" and peace of mind. It was noted, as expected, that the "ones" (unhappy marriages) also scored very low in terms of happiness and peace of mind. Those who rated their marriage "one" in the original study were studied again 3 years later and the same measurements taken, again.

The findings were a surprise to those who advocate for our current norm of divorce and remarriage:

Of those who divorced, their happiness was generally at, or about at, the same level of their earlier reading of “unhappy”.

Of those who did not divorce, about 80% rated their marriage a "five" and their general state of mind was much, much happier.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

- I Peter 5:6-11

Every message in our media and entertainment says that happiness is found by dumping that rascal/witch and "moving on" to the next person who will solve all of our problems, be a better "fit" and make those nasty relationship problems go away. Our culture says that all of that talk about "divorce and remarriage is adultery" is old-fashioned and counter-productive and a barrier to true happiness.

The evidence is unequivocal that happiness is found by avoiding adultery and working to improve what you already have.

Amazing... God knew what He was talking about. Hmmm... if the news and entertainment media really cares about people's happiness, I wonder why this study never made the news?

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

- Ephesians 2:1-10