In a global population of somewhere around seven and a half billion people if you were to ask what we really need in order to have a good life, I’m sure you would get many varying answers. Despite this, we all want to live happy and fulfilling lives but the question remains, what do we need in order to achieve this end?
Back to basics
In the 1950’s American Psychologist Abraham Maslow identified five levels of basic human need. According to his theory, humans will only be able to progress to other areas of satisfaction if they first fulfil lower level needs. The most basic and first level of need in his hierarchy was ‘physical needs’; breathing, food, water and sleep. Once an individual has met these needs they can then turn their attention to the need for safety, love, esteem and self-actualisation.
Fill in the gaps
It may not be surprising then to discover that vast numbers of the population live with unmet desires and feelings of lack when they look at the things they want out of life. According to many studies there is a whole generation (the Millennials) who are decidedly dissatisfied with their lot in life and feel unfulfilled when it comes to their daily existence. People are looking for ways to fill the gaps and satisfy longings in order to live the kind of life they truly desire.
All you need is…
The truth is that there are no quick fixes to finding and living a perfect or even consistently ‘good’ life. No matter what you have or don’t have, there are ups and downs, good days and bad. The externals of life will always ebb and flow like the tide. Just because you have the job you’ve always wanted, the relationship you’ve dreamed of or the bank balance you’ve desired doesn’t mean you have the happiness that you crave. The condition of your heart will determine the quality of your life.
Being satisfied
In the bible the Apostle Paul wrote the following in a letter. He said:
Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Paul found his contentment not in things, position or circumstances his feeling of satisfaction with life came from his relationship with God. He learnt that by making peace with God through a relationship with Jesus he was able to be consistently satisfied in life regardless of how much he had or didn’t have.
If you would like to find out more about how you can also live satisfied, regardless of your situation in life, please click the link below or leave a comment.