Why do you think so many people in our society see happiness in purely material terms? If the Bible is right that human beings are made in the image of God, why is this certain to end in frustration? Jesus Christ said, 'I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full.' (John 10:10, NIV) and made clear that this would be achieved through dying in our place and rising again. What are the implications of this for your pursuit of happiness?

Society is based on the structure of the nation, and how the United States communicates. The biggest form of communication between consumers and the "leaders" of the nation is the media. Essentially, television, the radio, the internet, cellphones and other gadgets are the general populations means of communication, and, more importantly, a means of advertising. A way for groups or individuals to be able to spread a message and information. What is commonly the message is that happy individuals are the ones who have the newest phones with the fastest speeds, the shoes with the coolest designs, the clothes with the brand names and the make-up worn by the hottest women. In turn, the people in our society believe that getting these things will make them happy. Perhaps because they are unhappy, and they see that the people in the commercials appear to be happy, they've come to equate happiness with obtaining the products seen online or on television. PEOPLE ARE "GADGET HAPPY." 






In terms of the Bible and God, if humans were made in the image of God, then material things should not be emphasized so much by people. After all, God does not have the freshest kicks, nor the newest iPhone. Yet he is not being affected by the stereotypes and ideals of a society like Americans are in America. Humans are more easily influenced by material things. In John 10:10, NIV, it is said that Jesus Christ states that he came to die and rise again for our happiness, that we may live life to the fullest, without worrying and fearing our afterlife. This should help many people in pursuing their own personal happiness's, because it allows them the freedom to pursue other things that make them happy and satisfy them, because they are secure in the knowledge that they are going to be taken care of in the afterlife.