The World's Remedy for Emptiness

I have been struggling lately with doubts, depressions and being down in the dumps. All those good d-words. When I struggle like this I usually seek counsel from men that I respect with regards to the soul's happiness and joy. At the top of the list, of course, is John Piper. When I don't Desire God is a big help in this regard. This time around I have picked up a book by Jeremiah Burroughs entitled, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment." so far it has been good.

In contrast, I was listening to NPR this morning on the way to work. This was not good. The gentleman that was being interviewed was talking about how people tend to go through these cycles in their lives where they are happy and others where they are not so happy. There are typically "happy years" in a persons life. This is usually into the 20s. Then happiness usually gets progressively less and usually hits bottom sometime in the late 30s or into the 40s. Then there are usually more happy years as people get older. At this point the NPR interview brought up the concept of the "hedonic treadmill". This is the concept that says that we are constantly looking for something to make us happy. It may be the promotion or the pay raise. When we get the promotion or the pay raise, the new and the satisfaction eventually wear off and then we are onto something else to satisfy that longing. But we are never satisfied. The interviewer then asked what could be done to maintain a happier state and perhaps to defeat this "hedonic treadmill." The interviewee's answers were pretty pathetic. Here's what he suggested: (1) He said that one of the things that have been documented to help is that you not have a long commute to work every day. (2) Another thing that he suggested is that you have some flexibility in your work schedule. If you have varying hours at work this will help. (3) The last thing he mentioned was friends. He said that it really helps to have some close friendships where you spend time regularly with these friends.

This morning as I listened to this guy's advice I thought, "That's all you got?" "That is your answer to the problem of emptiness and depression?" Have a short drive to work, flexibility in work schedule, and have some close friends and this will help. However, I think what he was basically saying is, "There is no cure to this. All you can hope to do is alleviate some of the misery with a comfortable work environment and some friends." What a miserable worldview.

I suggest that the Christian alternative is better on so many levels and on so many plains. One verse, Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. There are no hedonic treadmills in heaven; there are only never-ending, soul-satisfying pleasures.

This kind of rhetoric only confirms what Augustine said in his Confessions. "our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee."