by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

March, 2024

Sometimes, it seems as if we’re a society of phobias. Whether or not you would be surprised, cherophobia, the fear of happiness, is a real condition. Psychologist and emotional wellness coach Anisha Jhunjhunwala suggests ten habits that can cause unhappiness: Overthinking, stressing over small situations, holding grudges, procrastination, comparing ourselves to others, giving up too soon, not concentrating on getting to know ourselves, not sleeping enough, not being grateful enough, and exposing ourselves to negativity.

I confess I’m guilty of at least eight of the ten. Ms. Jhunjhunwala recommends identifying the factors that make us unhappy and replacing them with things that make us happier. Holding grudges is a particular failing of mine and I know from experience that it keeps a part of my mind linked to the past. Ms. Jhunjhunwala suggests letting go, forgiving the person who wronged us, and so freeing ourselves from the resulting burden.

Jesus encountered many people who were chained to the past. Mark’s and Luke’s Gospels say Mary Magdalene had “seven demons” (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2). A man who called himself “Legion” was also tormented by “demons” (Luke 8:26-39). He was an outcast and lived among the tombs (vs. 27) and when he did come to be with people, had to be restrained (vs. 29b). After the resurrection, Peter was haunted by having denied that he was a disciple, not just once but three times (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-26). Each was released from his or her past and set free to live a new life.

It might seem odd to talk about freedom and happiness during a season of ashes but for those of us who follow Jesus, there are other, different prescriptions for happiness. Early in his Earthly ministry, he told his disciples what we know today as “The Beatitudes,” in which he described the ones who were “blessed” or happy: “‘Happy are people who are hopeless, . . . who grieve, . . . who are humble, . . . who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, . . . who show mercy, . . . who have pure hearts, . . . who make peace, . . . whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, . . . Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.’” (Matt. 5:3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11 Common English Bible).

Hopelessness, grief, humility, desire for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and persecution probably wouldn’t make Ms. Jhunjhunwala’s list of solutions but each is followed by a promise: “‘. . . because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. . . . because they will be made glad. . . . because they will inherit the earth. . . . because they will be fed until they are full. . . . because they will receive mercy. . . . because they will see God. . . . because they will be called God’s children. . . . because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. . . . because you have a great reward in heaven.’” (vs. 5:3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, 12b CEB).

We can also be happy in the hope of the resurrection. At this time of year, we focus on Christ’s crucifixion and death, but after his death there was a resurrection. After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to several friends and disciples but Thomas wasn’t one of them. When he appeared to Thomas, Thomas exclaimed, “‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28b CEB). Jesus asked, “‘Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.’” (John 20:29 CEB). If we, who have not seen, believe, we can be “happy” or “blessed.” Like the Christians in Corinth, “We live by faith and not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 CEB). We are called to have faith that “. . . is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.” (Heb. 11:1b CEB).

After Jesus had cast out his “demons,” the man who had called himself “Legion” wanted to follow Jesus (Luke 8:38a). Instead, Jesus told him, “‘Return home and tell the story of what God has done for you.’ So he went throughout the city proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.” (vs. 39 CEB). I believe “Legion” found happiness—blessing—telling what Jesus had done for him, and we can find our own blessing doing the same.


“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 CEB).


Copyright © 2024 by David Phelps