What Is Needed to Be Really Happy?

Over 100,000 persons were asked, “What would make you happy?” From the variety of answers, two needs stood out. One “attitude that is important for adult happiness is a certainty that life has meaning and direction” and that one is ‘progressing toward lifetime goals,’ stated Psychology Today, the source of one poll. While Redbook magazine concluded from its poll: “Women of all ages most highly prize being at peace with themselves . . . to reach inner harmony.”

How true! If your life is not accomplishing anything really meaningful or you cannot live with yourself because of overwhelming guilt and weaknesses, you probably yearn for a better life. But how do we put our lives together so they are happy? A certain decision or course of action may seem to lead to a better life, but time and experience often prove it to be disappointing.

However, millions worldwide have found notable happiness by following the “world’s best seller”​—the Bible. Could this really be how our lives can be guided to lasting happiness?

“But what about the hundreds of millions who have the Bible and whose lives are no better than mine?” many respond. Having the finest mountain guide in the world is valueless if the climbers refuse to follow him. So with the Bible, for it says: “If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.”​—John 13:17.

But will a careful study and application of the Bible really make your life better​—even during this age of frustration? If so, why? The following article provides a substantial answer.

Life Can Be Better Now!

Many people think the Bible offers a better life only in heaven after death, and that their present life is destined to be as it is. However, the publishers of this magazine receive letters from all over the world showing that thousands of persons have been helped to a better life right now by following the Bible. Consider the following true-life examples.

Better Mental Balance

A plague of mental illness is sweeping the earth. For example, according to official statistics one out of every three Germans in the Federal Republic has suffered from or is presently suffering from a mental disorder. Worldwide there are 1,000 suicides each day.

In the United States, where up to one quarter of the population is said to suffer from mental imbalance, one young woman in New York city complained: “My life lacked any significance. For this reason I began to drink heavily and participated in wild parties.” Yet rather than this bringing the happiness she so desperately sought, she adds: “I became so disgusted with life that I decided to commit suicide. With this in mind, I obtained a bottle of barbiturates to mix with alcohol.”

“That night,” reveals the woman, “I prayed to God and told myself that if God really exists, he should stop me from taking my life. It was at this precise moment that somebody knocked at my door. A lady offered to study the Bible with me.”

“My initial reaction,” she confessed, “was that I slammed the door in her face. However, realizing what I had done, I went after the lady and begged her not to leave me. I then made arrangements to study the Bible with this woman who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

From the Bible she learned of a Creator who takes a personal interest in each of us. “Throw all your anxiety upon [God],” says the Bible, “because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7) He promises to rid the earth of wickedness soon and to establish a “new earth” wherein will be an “abundance of peace.”​—2 Pet. 3:13; Ps. 37:10, 11.

Such knowledge brought meaning into this young woman’s life. She now had self-esteem and hope for the future. After studying for two years she concluded: “My life is now filled with real joy and significance.” Not everyone receives an answer to prayer as quickly as this woman did. But God is “not far off from each one” who turns to him with a desire to know his will and he does answer such sincere pleas for help.​—Acts 17:26, 27.

Coping with Bad Health

“All my life I had been weak in health,” wrote an older man from Sweden who had suffered through the Spanish flu, several operations and presently was distressed by an eye defect.

“The turning point in my ability to cope with my bad health,” beamed this elderly man, “came when I was only 22. Your magazine [Awake!] helped me to turn to the Bible.” From the Bible he learned that soon God will remove permanently all sicknesses from the earth. (Rev. 21:1, 3, 4) “Since that time,” continued the man, “I have experienced years of happiness, for despite my many physical handicaps I have a real hope for the future. Also, I’m accomplishing something, as I have been able to help many others to get the same bright outlook on life.” Thousands of similar cases prove that the Bible can fill one’s life with hope and meaningful activities. This really helps one to endure sickness cheerfully.

Better Habits

‘A habit,’ it has been said, ‘may at first be but as the spider’s web, easily broken through, but, if not resisted, it soon binds us with chains of steel.’ How many are those held back from a better life by such “chains of steel,” bad habits, such as drunkenness, drug abuse, gluttony, thievery and others!

“I was listed as ‘wanted’ by 18 police centers,” began a young man in Spain. His bad habits included street fighting, drug abuse and drunkenness; he also forged checks and engaged in illegal gambling and drug trafficking. He was in and out of jail.

He read one of the Bible publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses and saw the need to change if he wanted to be happier. “But it wasn’t easy for me to change. All I wanted were revelries and ‘kicks,”’ he admitted; yet he hated the kind of person he had become. “I had many ups and downs. On one occasion, in frustration, I ripped up a Bible and threw it against the wall.”

Nevertheless, the Bible’s counsel gradually began to reach his heart. “With the help of Jehovah God I have changed completely,” concluded this man. Now, not only can he live with himself, but he even assists others to make similar changes.

Better Family Life

One newly married man became fed up with his family life and walked out after 18 months of marriage. He then searched the world for happiness. After seven years, which included living in a hippie commune and indulging in drug abuse, he felt that his life was a failure and attempted suicide a number of times.

“It was then while in Australia that I was contacted by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who was kind to me both materially and spiritually,” reported this young man. He began to study the Bible with the Witness and was shown from the Bible how he could have a successful marriage. He was convinced it would work, so he contacted his wife. Noting his changed way of life, she decided to join him. Now the two of them live by the Bible and declare: “We are both happy and have a very contented homelife.”​—Eph. 5:33.

Better Economy

“We figured out we spent more money on smoking, drinking and gambling per month than on housing, food and clothing for our family. Our smoking habits alone cost us more than the rent for our cramped housing,” admitted one couple in Sweden.

“A Bible study with Jehovah’s Witnesses motivated us to quit our excessive habits,” continued this couple, who now had gained an inner harmony by cultivating self-control. “We now have a larger flat, we eat better, dress better, feel better, sleep better, and we have both money and energy left for more spiritually and physically uplifting activities.” Countless others world wide have been assisted similarly.

Additionally, Bible guidelines concerning honesty, industriousness and contentment have helped many to attain a better life economically as these became trusted and valued employees. By learning not to love money, but to respect it, they make better use of it. As the Swedish couple concluded: “That God-given book brings balance to everything in life.”​—Heb. 13:5, 18; compare Proverbs 18:9.

These preceding cases show how the Bible can help a person to enjoy a better life now. But you may think: ‘Those were exceptional persons. I could never, by simply reading the Bible, make all those changes.’ Neither could they. More was involved.

Peace and Brotherhood

The persons referred to above all received free personal help from Jehovah’s Witnesses. One American newspaper called their organization “a model of peace and brotherhood.” Association with these people was a forceful incentive to imitate their good conduct.

One young American woman testifies to the value of such association. Her former life-style included drinking at bars, smoking “pot” and fighting. “I was just mean,” she said, and tells why. “Never underestimate what bad associations can do!” Her “friends” brought out the worst in her.

Then she and her husband began to study the Bible and enjoy the company of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “I got rid of my hang-ups and developed a good conscience,” she reports. “We found that we don’t need our old associations anymore, because we have hundreds of new faithful friends that we can trust.” This is not to say that this organization of people is perfect. But at least they are trying hard to live by the Bible, and the results are notable.

The Best Life​—Soon To Come

‘SO WHAT if the Bible promises the best life in the near future. You can’t believe everything in that book.’ That’s how many feel. To them, a change from their lifetime of problems would take an unbelievable miracle.

One man who trusted the Bible was taunted: “Surely a sensible man like you cannot believe in the miracles that the Bible tells about. You cannot, for instance, believe that this Jesus of yours turned water into wine.” The man simply replied: “Whether He turned water into wine or not, I do not know; but in my own house, I have seen Him turn beer into furniture.”

You see, this man had been a former drunkard and wasted his family’s money drinking. The Bible helped him to change. Those who have seen their own lives greatly improved by following Bible guidelines are convinced of its truthfulness. They look for the realization of its future promises​—regardless of their apparent unlikeliness. But what does the Bible promise?

‘Rescued’ Completely from an Inner Conflict

“Miserable man that I am!” sighed one Bible writer because of the inner struggle between the desires of his body and his Bible-educated mind. “Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death?” The Bible shows how God will help us out of this aggravating situation. Though he gives much help now so that we can resist bad desires, he will in the near future remove completely all such bad tendencies. Obedient mankind will be brought to perfection and will be granted everlasting life amid paradisaic conditions on a cleansed earth.​—Rom. 7:21-25; 5:21; Luke 23:43; 2 Pet. 3:13.

Imagine what a relief! No longer will you have to struggle to do what is right. Doing the right thing then will be just natural. Gone will be the constant worry about controlling your tongue or temper. You will never feel guilty because of losing your self-control.

The urges to steal, lie, cheat, commit immorality, will be permanently replaced by perfect honesty, loyalty, kindness and love. How wonderful to be able to do exactly the good that wells up in your own heart!

Sickness and Disease Vanish

God will give the inhabitants of earth his full attention. He, as it were, “will reside with” mankind and “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”​—Rev. 21:3, 4.

No more backaches, headaches, or any pain caused by imperfection. Dreaded killers such as cancer, heart disease and snail fever (schistosomiasis) will be permanently eliminated. Imagine each morning to rise refreshed and physically able to do your very best at whatever task you undertake.

Bad Environment Removed

Do you ever recall being so flustered because of surrounding noises or background annoyances that, before you realized it, you lashed out at someone? Our environment can greatly affect how we think and act. Living in a climate of poverty, crime, overcrowding, insecurity and hostility can breed frustration and cause us to react in ways we otherwise might not.

God knows this, so he promises in the Bible: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”​—Prov. 2:21, 22.

This divine action will immediately eliminate fear of crime and violence. The survivors will dwell on the earth in secure, pleasant surroundings. They will have meaningful work that will contribute to their happiness and gradually make the earth a beautiful park with plenty of living space for all.

Imagine life in a world where all show genuine love for you; where crime, injustice, oppression, poverty and loneliness will be no more; where each day will bring satisfying challenges to be met with perfect abilities; where not even death will cut short your activities or tear loved ones away. Truly, God will fulfill completely his promise to “give you the requests of your heart.” Just think: To be given your ‘heart’s desire’! Could God promise us any more than that? It will be the best life!​—Ps. 37:3, 4; compare Isaiah 65:17, 21-25.

But How Soon?

For millenniums of time people have looked forward to this “best life.” Why do we say it is “soon to come”? Because the Bible contains detailed prophecies that pinpoint the very generation of people that would see the fulfillment of these precious promises.

The beginning of this “sign” was to be marked by a dramatic change in war. The highly symbolic book of Revelation (6:4) predicted a figurative horseman who would “take peace away from the earth.” The result would be ‘nation rising against nation.’ Peace taken, not merely from a few nations, but from the earth means global warfare.​—Matt. 24:7.

Suddenly, without any anticipation of its eventual enormity, World War I shattered the “Golden Years” that led up to its start in 1914. It was “The War That Changed the World.” This “bloodiest and costliest conflict in the history of mankind” up to that time “included every major state and left unrepresented no part of the globe,” according to authorities. It certainly fulfilled the Bible’s prophetic description of a global war.

That same “generation” saw World War II, as well as the fulfillment of scores of other parts of the “sign” of the last days. (Note accompanying chart.) “This generation,” said Jesus, “will by no means pass away until all things occur.” Since we see these prophecies coming true, we can do what Jesus recommended: “As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” Yes, the best life is soon to come!​—Luke 21:10, 11, 28-32.

Since these blessings are truly near at hand, why not accept the free help of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become better acquainted with your Bible. Write the publishers of this magazine, or go to the local Kingdom Hall and ask for a free home Bible discussion. That is the first step you can take toward a better life now and the best life in the near future.