New Reminders: Pleasure

According to Wikipedia, “Pleasure is experience that feels good, that involves the enjoyment of something. It contrasts with pain or suffering, which are forms of feeling bad.”  It is human nature to seek something that makes us feel good and is enjoyable or satisfying.  Anything from eating our favorite dessert to winning at our favorite game can engender feelings of pleasure.

Pleasure is a gift from God and should be valued and experienced as part of the abundant life we have all been given.

In our education of young Christians, we are sometimes tempted to downplay pleasure as something they should avoid too much of, because we know that the hedonistic tendency of human beings, is to desire and seek feelings of excitement, ecstasy and euphoria, that come with some forms of thrill-seeking adventures.  While we don’t want young people to indulgence in dangerous or harmful activities.  We do want them to find pleasure in safe and wholesome pursuits.  Some young people will interpret that as not wanting them to have any fun.  We need to help them understand the difference between wanting them to act responsibly and safely and not wanting them to be happy.

Happiness is closely linked to well-being and overall life satisfaction.  Studies have shown that individuals who experience higher levels of happiness tend to have better physical and mental health, stronger social relationships, and greater resilience in the face of adversity.  While there is no single, universally accepted definition of happiness, it is generally understood to be a state of mind characterized by positive emotions, a sense of purpose, and feelings of fulfillment.  As we mature, we realized that the temporary lift found in the human enjoyment of life, are healthy and worth pursuing.  The greatest pleasures of life can also be found in following the will of God and experiencing feelings of fulfillment and accomplishment of our purpose in life.

There is no general agreement as to whether pleasure should be understood as a sensation, a quality of experiences, or an attitude toward experiences. It is closely related to value, desire and action.  If we align ourselves with the values of Christian faith, our desires and actions will follow God’s plan for doing the work of making the world a better place for ourselves and those around us.  We may find that the greatest pleasure can be experienced through self-sacrifice for the greater good of others, even if it involves some pain, in the process.

Psalm 37:4, says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Another relevant verse is Philippians 4:4, which says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice." 

These verses suggest that when we prioritize our relationship with God and find pleasure in Him and in doing his will, He will grant us the desires of our hearts.  The key is to choose to put ‘doing God’s will’, at the top of our list of desires, and allow that to guides our actions.  It does not preclude us from enjoying such simple pleasures as enjoying nature, human interactions, good food, uplifting music and beautiful things, it only enhances them.