You discovered the key to happiness as moment-by-moment trust, security, protection and satisfaction in God (Ps. 91). Martin Seligman, one of the founders of positive psychology, has written in his new book, Flourish, that the goal of well-being has five elements:
- Positive emotion (of which happiness and life satisfaction are all aspects)
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Achievement
Seligman defines what it means to “flourish” by asking what it is that enables you to cultivate your talents, build deep, lasting relationships with others, feel pleasure, and contribute meaningfully to the world. However, God defines well-being and flourishing as praise of, submit to and trust in God’s attributes (Ps. 92-94).
Praise God’s Love, Faithfulness and Purpose
It’s good to thank and sing praises with instruments to the Most High God because of His lovingkindness and faithfulness (Ps. 92:1-4). Sing praise to God’s attributes of love and faithfulness.
His great works make me glad. His purposes are deep and misunderstood by stupid men. God ultimately destroys the wicked and scatters our enemies (Ps. 92:5-9). Be glad in God’s works and deep purposes.
His fresh oil exalts me over my foes. I flourish like the palm tree in the courts of my God. Righteous men still thrive in old age. They declare that the Lord is upright as their rock (Ps. 92:10-15). You thrive and are exalted when God becomes your rock.
Submit to God’s Reign, Strength and Holiness
The Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty and strength. The world and His throne are firmly established eternally (Ps. 93:1-2). The Lord reigns eternally with majesty and strength.
The floods exalt God so people understand He is mighty and holy (Ps. 93:3-5). Creation exalts the mighty and holy God.
Trust in God’s Judgment, Advocacy and Peace
God judges the earth and pays back the proud who boast, speak arrogantly and afflict His people. They kill widows, immigrants and orphans thinking that God doesn’t see (Ps. 94:1-7). God judges the proud who afflict marginalized people.
God hears, sees, chastens and rebukes wickedness. He teaches humankind knowledge since He knows their their thoughts (Ps. 94:8-11). God sees and rebukes wickedness.
Blessed are those He corrects and teaches out of His law. God grants them relief from adversity. He won’t abandon or forsake His people. Who will be my advocate against evildoers? (Ps. 94:12-16). God advocates, corrects and teaches His people so they can experience relief from adversity.
Ultimately, only the Lord’s lovingkindness will help and hold me up. When anxious thoughts multiply within me, His consolations delight my soul. The Lord is my stronghold against evil plots. He is the rock of refuge and destroys evil (Ps. 94:17-23). God’s love provides psychological relief from anxiety.
To experience sense of flourishing and well-being, do the following:
1. Praise God’s love, faithfulness and purpose
2. Submit to God’s reign, strength and holiness
3. Trust in God’s judgment, advocacy and peace
