Why do optimistic people live longer?

Why do optimistic people live longer?

You and I can neither predict nor control the future, but we can control how we respond to its unpredictability. Our response, in turn, plays a pivotal role in our personal future. (At Kind Hands Sr. Care in Yorkville, IL our optimisitic people are in their late 80’s and early 90’s. To join these optimistic folk call 630-508-8357).

A new study suggests that people who tend to be optimistic are likelier than others to live to be eighty-five years old or more. Researchers from Boston University and Harvard found that the most optimistic men and women demonstrated, on average, an 11–15 percent longer lifespan.

How can we become more optimistic? A clinical health psychologist explained that she works with patients to “uncover systems of beliefs and assumptions people are making about themselves in their lives” so they can “begin to change those.”

When we begin making optimistic assumptions, our attitudes toward our experiences become more positive, our stress levels respond, and our physical health can improve as well. In other words, when we choose to view life positively, life often responds in kind.

The key to relational truth

This psychological principle also holds true spiritually.

When tragedy strikes, it’s human nature to cry with Christ from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). We want God to explain his ways so we can decide whether or not to trust him with our pain.

But what if we cannot experience his help until we trust his heart?

Relational truth must be chosen to be experienced. You cannot prove you should get married until you get married. You cannot prove you’ll recover from surgery until you trust the surgeon.

You should examine the evidence, but then you must step beyond the evidence into a relationship that becomes self-validating.

“Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small”

So it is with God. He wants us to develop and use our intellectual capacities as fully as possible (cf. 2 Peter 1:5; Matthew 22:37). But when it comes to understanding the mind of God, he tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). Our finite, fallen minds may not be able to comprehend his perfect will until we are with him in heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12).

And as long as we hold our Father at arm’s length while we wait for explanations that may not help us, we forfeit the mercy that will.

President John F. Kennedy kept on his desk a block of wood inscribed with the words, “O God, Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small.” They were adapted from this poem by Winfred Ernest Garrison:

Thy sea, O God, so great,

My boat so small.

It cannot be that any happy fate

Will you trust your boat to your Lord today?

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Patrick Skinner的更多文章

  • Why Are People So Nice...

    Why Are People So Nice...

    This post applies to every person you saw today. At Kind Hands the odds are higher that we might experience this post…

  • .. on purpose with love

    .. on purpose with love

    Seniors may be further down their created path than the young but all were created on purpose with love. That motivates…

  • Your life is a vapor..

    Your life is a vapor..

    For the little time Kind Hands will take care of a senior we focus on relieving pain which we can control in a small…

  • The Kingdom is a gift...

    The Kingdom is a gift...

    to those, like children, who know they cannot earn it. This is new resident Katy Arnolds favorite wall hanging at Kind…

  • Sustain, carry and rescue you...

    Sustain, carry and rescue you...

    "Sustain", "carry" and "rescue" are 3 things Isaiah promises kids [of all ages] in Isaiah 46:4. Kind Hands Senior Care…

  • Internal beauty is defined by...

    Internal beauty is defined by...

    The care givers at Kind Hands Sr. Care are beautiful for the reason given in this post below.

  • Our lives are dependent upon others...

    Our lives are dependent upon others...

    “Your life & mine flow into each other as wave flows into wave, & unless there is peace & joy & freedom for you, there…

  • Surprised Seniors

    Surprised Seniors

    At Kind Hands Sr. Care Homes we meet the daily needs of 8 surprised residents.

  • Caring For Seniors On 3 Levels...

    Caring For Seniors On 3 Levels...

    At Kind Hands Senior Care Homes in Yorkville we treat people on three levels. We give kind care to their bodies: help…

  • Kind...

    Kind...

    Kind..

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了