I found it very interesting that the overwhelming majority of Israelis are perfectly satisfied with their lives, despite the daunting array of problems their nation faces.
Israel is constantly under physical attack from its enemies, the international community and mainstream international press in general seem to hate the Jewish state, economic conditions in Israel are often less than ideal and the leadership in Jerusalem is hopelessly corrupt.
And still, a huge 83% of Israelis are satisfied with what they have here. (Interestingly, 71% of the Arabs who participated in the survey said they too are satisfied, contrary to the regular bellyaching by their Knesset representatives.)
Now, what is interesting to me is the comparison between Israel’s situation and the reaction of its people, and how people view life in Scandinavia.
The Scandinavian counties in northern Europe have no external existential threats, no terrorist attacks, little corruption and the socialist systems there do an outstanding job of caring for people’s needs.
Nevertheless, suicide rates in Scandinavia are among the highest in the world.
A similar situation exists in Japan, a nation with enormous wealth and prosperity, but where far too many people are just unhappy.
How can this be? Aren’t we taught by our Western culture that prosperity and popularity will make us happy?
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21 comments so far ↓
1 Joyce // Jun 15, 2007 at 8:19 pm
This is so true, our western culture does teach us those things, when in reality a person with all those things have a hopeless existence without God in their life. Even with all the eminenties life has to offer someone, without God it is all worth nothing. Because I don’t care how much wealth and prosperity a person has they also have problems, and sometimes they have problems that no amount of money can fix. And without God to help them through these problems sometimes it all seems hopeless to them, and they think that suicide is the only answer. But they are wrong God is the answer, and if they will only realize this, and turn their life over to God, then they will realize that they do have hope. And even though they still have problems, God is their to help give them the strength to get through any problems they may have. And I pray, that they will realize this. Because all I can see is nothing but hopelessness, and despair, for anyone that is living without God in their life.
2 Charles // Jun 16, 2007 at 4:16 am
I guess it’s just good to be home finally . The Jews have been kicked around for so long , it would be good to be in a place of their own . And it is theirs , God signed the lease on that one .
3 Nerah; broke beyond belief with JOY! // Jun 16, 2007 at 6:31 am
It seems to me from personal experience, the more trials the closer to God people get. When we have to count on God and not man we gain an awesome relationship with Him that can’t be found other places. Yet when we rely on the world and pursuit of Money we fall apart! Baruch Attah Adonai!!!
4 Charles // Jun 22, 2007 at 1:14 am
It sounds like me that Hamas will provoke Israel to invade Gaza and Iran’s Monkey (Assad ) along with Nutsreally will attack Israel in concert . I guess Iran will hold their coats for them . That leaves Iran and America to dance . The situation in Israel might get really intense this summer . If the articles in World Net Daily are for real then Al-qaida is intending to attack the USA in a large scale
WMD suicide attack during Ramadan or before .
5 Marsha Carol Watson // Jun 22, 2007 at 1:37 am
Charles, your June 22nd comment (My birthday!) regarding the World Net Daily article is and has been felt by me and my family since the first of 2007. It is a gift of discernment…..we have been seeking the Lord with all of our hearts on behalf of America, its leaders and its people this year—-Wake Up America!!! It is one minute until midnight…..Americans had better wake up NOW concerning Israel and our part in Israel’s survival, and how it relates to America’s survival!
Time is running out for Americans to Stand Decisively with the Nation of Israel—not just allow our leaders to trample underfoot God’s Land and People.
6 Joyce // Jun 22, 2007 at 5:44 am
Happy birthday Marsha, I hope you’ve had a wonderful day. And I agree with you, I believe time is running out for America. And I pray, that America will wake up before it’s too late. Because I believe, God’s patience for America is running out, and that He’s not going to overlook America’s continuing blatant disregard of His Word. I believe God’s already shown His displeasure with us, and if America doesn’t come to realize the errors of it’s ways, then I’m afraid the worst is yet to come. America needs to realize the importance of our total support for Israel,and their retaining possession of their God given land.
7 Marsha Carol Watson // Jun 23, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Joyce, on israelmybeloved.com there was a word of propecy given in December of 2005. It is listed “A serious (or solemn) word of prophecy”
One thing rings clear in my head……The gentleman that gave it said:
When Billy Graham and Oral Roberts go home to be with the Lord, then America has had her last call….”
This shook me greatly…..when Ruth Graham died a few days ago, again I was shaken, realizing that Billy more than likely will go home soon also….I can’t imagine him even wanting to fight to live without his beloved Ruth.
And, Oral Roberts, who I love deeply, is about 89. He is still a mighty man of God, but his age is none the less a factor. When Evelyn died, I prayed so hard that he would not give up….he has so much to give to the world…..He pressed on…..but at 88 or 89, we all know the days are numbered.
So if these two godly men of my parents and my generation leave earth to take their places in heaven—-Anything could happen in America at anytime…..just as it can right now….only perhaps when they are gone it will be far worse….
I live in the Word of God and in Prayer…..there lies the answers…thank God I can recognize it and am driven to my knees in prayer and to read the Word of God with great zeal.
Heavenly Father, help others to fall to their knees in great humility and give then a burning desire to read and study Your Holy Word. Amen and Amen
8 Joyce // Jun 26, 2007 at 5:22 am
Amen Marsha, that prophesy should be shaking to us all. I also pray, that others will realize the importance of prayer and reading the Word of God. And I pray, for those who are lost, that they will come to know Jesus, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. And that they will not delay in making their decision, because the Lord’s return is at hand.
God bless.
9 Nerah... Ashamed and disgusted with my government // Jun 29, 2007 at 11:38 pm
You all know how I have supported and stood up for Bush, mainly that he is a Christian, not all his actions obviously. It is of course getting harder and harder to do so! I am proud to be an American because to me an American is someone who loves God and is led by Him..That is the original American way. Yes the freedom etc. is important, yet freedom means nothing without God, it is pointless. I would give up all the freedom in the world to stand with God and His people. (and we may have to)I am insulted by our President’s actions to support Fatah, continue to give them money for weapons and divide God’s land. I am insulted and ashamed of the antisemitism by those who call themselves Christians in this country. I am insulted and ashamed that our President wants Israel didvided yet claims to be Christian, does he not read God’s Word? I am ashamed by the Americans who don’t take a stand for Israel and a stand against islam. For to stand for these things is what makes us Americans. To stand against those who want to murder and opress others, to stand for our freedom to Worship the God of Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob…this is the foundation of the Americas. I am ashamed of those who live here and call themselves Americans, and those who live here and call themselves Christians yet everything they do supports the enemies of God! I am an American, but not by the worlds viewpoints but by YHWH’s. To be honest at this point I want to leave, So Praise YHWH someday in Jerusalem….next Year in Jerusalem!
We need to continue in prayer for our President, government, and all those in America and around the world.
We need to continue in prayer for the muslims who are so very lost and led by satan, this is a spiritual battle.
We need to pray for the Jewish people who need to know thier Messiah. To the Jew first, then the gentile.
We need to pray for the Christians persecuted around the woprld.
We need to pray for the Messianic Jews in Israel and around the world.
We need to pray for peace in Israel!!!
Shaluu Shalom Yerushalyim
10 Charles // Jun 30, 2007 at 2:20 am
It is very possible that we will have to suffer with the present leaders face on TV for a long time . Check out the sites ; Civil Disturbance Plan 55-2 . FEMA is not our friend .
11 Joyce // Jun 30, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I totally agree with you Nerah. I believe, that Bush has let down all Christians, who believed, that they were doing the right thing by voting him into office. I find it really hard to believe, with his pressuring Israel into giving up their land, and with his support of Fatah, that Bush even reads the Bible. Because if he did, then I don’t see how he could not realize, that what he is doing is against God’s will. And as far as America is concerned, I find it hard to even recognize it anymore. The America that I used to know, was a loving God fearing country, that was blessed by God. And of course, we had our problems, but we always looked to God for help with them. But now America is turning it’s back on God, and wants to live it’s sinful and lustful ways, without any repentance, or regard to Him. And so, as a result of that, we should not be surprised, by God’s removal of His blessings from us. He has already lifted His hand of protection from us several times, and it has led to disastrous results. And I believe, that we can expect even more disasters, if this country doesn’t repent, and turn from it’s sinful ways. Because God will not continue to protect us, if America continues to reject Him. I pray, for God’s mercy, and that America, and our leaders, will wake up before it’s too late! And I also pray, for peace, and God’s protection of Israel.
God bless
12 Nerah // Jul 3, 2007 at 1:53 am
I am afraid that our next elected government officials will be even worse. I pray not but so far I don’t see alot of hope. At this point I am not sure what is worse Congress’s ignorance of terrorism and war issues, plus thier sick liberal beliefs, or Bush’s money to terrorists and 2 state for terror plan. However I will continue in prayer for them. I think perhaps this fourth of July instead of a barbecue maybe a fast and prayer is in order. For Americans to return America to the Independant, God fearing country it started as.
13 Joyce // Jul 4, 2007 at 6:21 am
I’m afraid, that I have to agree with you Nerah, things don’t look very promising, for the next election. And it is getting more and more difficult to decide, which is the lesser of the two evils. But as you said, we do need to pray for them. And perhaps, you are right about fasting and praying, instead of barbecuing, on this fourth of July. It’s a small sacrifice, that we probably all, should be willing to make, for the sake of our country.
14 Nathan // Jul 11, 2007 at 5:49 am
Charles you have been reading to many David Icke books. Do not believe in that crap about FEMA. Then true enemy is the media and their alliance with the muslims that want to pull a Red Dawn on our asses. But I will say in the end I won’t be surprised if the suits try to control us! Good luck getting the military to go along with that plan! AHAHAHAHAHAH.
Nerah — I don’t like GW anymore either, or moreso the congress makes me want to vomit blood. But the reality is that in a world with spies and ties and monies and politics this type of shit will always go on. As much as I want Abbas hanging from a pole in Tel Aviv we have to support him so that place doesnt blow out of control more than it has already. Geopolitics is a serious business and keeping the peace these days is not as easy as it was when I was growing up in the 1980’s against evil Soviets.
USA, Great Britain, Israel, Australia will be the survivors of WW3 and Muslims are going to be out of luck burning in hell. And I really think that, I am tired of being restrained.
15 Charles // Jul 12, 2007 at 3:37 am
Nathan ,
Maybe you didn’t hear about the control that the Gestapo had over the regular German army . The Gestapo was feared about as much as the enemy by all Germans . The Federal Emergency Management Agency will enforce the U.S. Government Civil Disturbance Act 55-2 . The president can enact this plan if he perceives any mass disruption of Government . FEMA has it’s Gestapo in place and will control all things essential for survival .
I am sure with the Constitution suspended and another open ended term of old GW you will have time to contemplate the seriousness of this revelation .
16 Nathan // Jul 14, 2007 at 1:00 am
Well I must admit that I once was obsessed with these issues as well. And yes I know very much about the Gestapo. But you are comparing a fascist state to a free one. Also the population disparity is so significant I mean were talking about a difference of almost 200 million people, which almost everybody in the country has a gun of some kind so now you are talking about an additional 200 million people with guns that won’t exactly just hand them over to men in black uniforms with no patches on them. I AGREE with you that there is a serious risk of abuse with these things but I guess I might have too much faith. I just think that if the USA can’t control Iraq, she can’t control her own citizens.
Is this blog dead?
17 Charles // Jul 14, 2007 at 5:46 am
Nathan ,
The fact is that once an overwhelming response to an uprising has been broadcasted over the gov. controlled TV , people will go back into the CYA mode . I don’t think that the average gun owner has more than 100 rounds of ammo . That will not last long .
Night vision , Apache helicopters , tanks , airpower etc . will suppress all militias . If you have read the Executive Orders you will find any protesters can be shot dead . The order specifies “Religious Organisations ” as dissenters and deadly force is authorized to deal with such . Now put the present administration
in the equation and it seems scary . Something as unnerving is Ezekiel 39 verse 6 The Lord sends fire on those that lives carelessly in the Isles . I believe that to be us for failing Israel
18 Nathan // Jul 14, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Well in all fairness most militas have been successful defeating stronger powers. Yes it is a long fight but they have realative success, look at Iraq and how “powerful” we are. Not really if you think about it. Look at Columbia, Palis, Chechyna (sp.) the list can go on. I guess where I live everybody has more ammo than 100 rounds, but I live in the midwest. Only I have to worry about is having SAC nuked. FEMA can pry my weapon from my cold dead hands, I would never be taken alive by those police of the night.
19 Charles // Jul 15, 2007 at 1:55 am
They can choke you out with out food ,medicine , water like the ATF only on steroids . I have just talked with an Iranian on Israel Today . Ryan writes for that news agency . The Iranian man said he is opposed to the radical leadership and wants us to know that the people do not back his policies . He is in the same boat as we are with our stupid politicians .
20 Nathan // Jul 16, 2007 at 1:02 am
Very well Charles. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. These types of discussions can go on forever. Anyways I still hate Iranians and want to see their country taken over by the United States and freed, as well as to pay for their crimes against us in 1979.
21 Victor Passenheim // Jul 19, 2007 at 5:06 am
Okay, I’ll chime in. Simply, in the case of Israel, despite their hopeless situation, the tangibleness of God’s promise to His people, whether that people knows it or not, is undeniable and they get to enjoy His provision and protection. On the other hand, with the Scandinavians and the Japanese, we are talking about 2 peoples that have almost completely divorced God from their culture. America is headed in that direction…
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