The Oxford Dictionaries’ 2016 “word of the year” shortlist was heavy on neologisms that one wishes didn’t have to exist: “alt-right,” “Brexiteer,” and this year’s winning term, “post-truth.” Among the finalists, though, there was one bit of solace: “hygge,” a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Pronounced “hoo-guh,” the word is said to have no direct translation in English, though “cozy” comes close. It derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” Associated with relaxation, indulgence, and gratitude, hygge has long been considered a part of the Danish national character. (New Yorker)

Twenty-one Years ago this Sunday will mark over two decades of remembering that day simply known as 9/11. The enduring legacy of that day is remembered best for those of us over 30 years of age as a day planes struck the towers in New York.  We all can remember where we were on that day and at that time. The immediate reaction was one of uncertainty, confusion, fear, vulnerability and anger, followed soon by that question that was on everyone’s mind…who and how could that happen to us…The United States?  Many of the above results were pretty much universal and the question of how could that happen… Who and how they did it was laid out over the next few years…but the core of the question has never really been answered….how could that happen to us? 

 We could use a little Hygge, interesting word with an even more deeper and contextual meaning. I like that in the Danish language it means to give courage, comfort and joy. The world could use a bit of that…and I know here in the USA we could use a boat load of that. Let’s throw out the politics and look at this a different way…God’s Way. If that makes you uncomfortable we will call it The Good Way. To add a little more I will share with you this from Wikipedia:

The noun hygge includes something nice, cozy, safe and known, referring to a psychological state.

I add this, you won’t need a psychiatrist to understand the importance of something nice, cozy, safe and known being a part of your life. That my friends is where today’s blog is going. The best way to find these things in life is God’s Way. Best way to find the good way Is the Bible, God’s word as spoken to the prophets throughout the life of his creation. Many people today are not comfortable with their lives…they know things could be better. There are many reasons we get into a state of discomfort. Loss of a loved one, overwhelmed by things happening around us, a tendency to feel as if we have lost control. There is a whole list of  ordinary things that can make life difficult. The road along God’s Way is paved with promises that will give you hope. Being honest though…it is not an easy road to travel, there are certain expectations for those who travel this road. While everyone’s troubles are different, all of us at one time or another are overwhelmed and feel no one cares…even to the point that we may come to believe that God has turned from us; why else would this trouble visit us? You must not go down that road. God cares and hears…

Psalm 22:24

For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 

Psalm 9:9

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.

 I was planning to re-post my blog from some years back, following  9/11. I have done that a number of times over the years.

https://fromthepewblog.com/2016/09/11/looking-back-the-day-we-were-one/

This year I have opted to share and interesting word, we all could use a little of.

After 9/11 Americans were hit with many different emotions and twenty-one years later, I can still see those people jumping from the towers, it remains firmly on my mind. For many of us the darkness of those days so long ago never seem that far away. One other thought…we Americans sometimes forget that other nations also lost people on that day. There were a lot of changes made that to this day effect the way we travel, live and adjust to the fact that the world somehow got a lot smaller on that day.  I came across this word the other day… Hygge… it is an old Norwegian word which meant something like “well-being”. Danish winters are known to be long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge. In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to “a form of everyday togetherness,” “a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow”. (Wikipedia)

To a Christian that could be translated to mean…Fellowship. So… you could say I am advocating a Christian Hygge, which is unusual because the Danes are considered more of a secular people except at Christmas. If you take all of the attributes listed so far concerning Hygge you will find them all in a relationship with God. Referring to the earlier statement that in the Danish language it means to give courage, comfort and joy, of which all can be found along the “Good Way.”

The simple definition of courage is to be able to do those things in life that frighten us. It can be as simple as speaking in public or racing into a fire to help someone. The possibilities are endless. What about standing at the foot of the cross as Jesus was crucified and his followers hiding in a room for fear of being recognized as one of HIS. Our God gives courage to those who persevere.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Travel the good way and God will give you the courage to meet the challenges of this earthly world.

I know of no one who would not accept the idea of being comfortable in their life. We all would like to be free of pain the constraints that limit our freedom to be at ease with our life. We all welcome the easing or alleviation of our feelings of grief or distress, in our lives as well as the lives of those we love. God’s way can do that!

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

Whatever distress comes into our life there is comfort when we follow the good way.There is joy in the Lord and those whose paths follow God’s Way will find happiness and joy.  “This is a day the Lord hath made, let’s rejoice and be glad”. What gives you joy and brings to you a feeling of pleasure and happiness? The list of attributes of Hygge are many and cover a multitude of things that move a person to this condition, some have even suggested it is no more than a state of mind. In closing out this blog in my opinion it is more than that. It is a matter of the heart. God knows your heart and your heart often rules your mind. I suggest the Christian version  of Hygge. Live life God’s Way, because it is The Good Way…. 

Psalm 89:15-16 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted. 

 Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

As I was writing this the news came that Queen Elizabeth ll has passed. From the least to the greatest…from the weakest to the strongest…death has the finial say….

Think on that awhile…………

Life is Good

jk