How to Be Miserable by John H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

How to Be Miserable.

By John H. Waggoner

THERE are many rules laid down in the writings of good men—much instruction is given by ministers and other teachers, all telling us how to be happy. The Bible tells us how we may be happy, here and hereafter. It tells us of a time and a place, when and where there will be no pain, no tears, no sorrow, no sighing, no sin, no hard feelings; but all love, joy, and peace eternal. Oh! how happy we shall be if we ever get there! And the Bible tells us how to get to that happy place.

But I am going to tell you something else. I am going to give you a rule—an infallible, certain, rule, for being miserable. Thousands have tried it—boys and girls, men and women, all ages and classes—and it has never failed in a single instance. And it never will fail. I cannot advise you to try it; but if you do, you will find it a sure thing. And it is easy to do. In fact, most children, and older people too, like to try it; but it always brings the same result—misery. No doubt, you are curious to know what this wonderful rule is. It is this:

HAVE YOUR OWN WAY.

A little girl tried it one day. She dressed as she pleased, played and acted as she pleased, and ate as she pleased; but she was cross and discontented all day, and sick all night. Fortunately, she learned to do better by her experience, and the next day cheerfully submitted to her mother’s wishes.

A little boy had his own way. Instead of going to school, he played in the streets, and, of course, became very bad. Instead of working, when he became larger, as his father wished, he ran away, and spent his time in idleness. He became a drunkard, a vagabond, and died in prison. A great many thousands have done so.

A church member would have his own way, and thereby grieved his brethren. But he would not listen to admonitions; he would not obey the injunction to “submit yourselves to one another,” but still would have his own way. He became alienated from his brethren; left the church; lost his religious feelings; and died a wretched infidel. A great many have done so, and always with the same result; and many are trying it still.

A wife would have her own way. She did not think best to do as God’s word says, and be in subjection to her husband, or consult his wishes and feelings. She lived a life of discontent and unhappiness, and in folly and disgrace ended her days. How many have tried the same rule, and how many are trying it now!

But these are only particular cases. There are a thousand ways to follow this rule, but the end will always be the same. When you read anything in the Bible, or hear anything from your parents or teachers that you are not pleased with, just turn from it, and ‘have your own way,’ if you wish to walk in the way of misery. You may not be able to see it just now, but you will be sure to find it. Do not think you can follow this rule in anything, and still escape the end; you cannot. Misery will follow stubbornness and rebellion. Self-will and happiness cannot possibly go together.

Do you wish to be miserable? or would you be happy? You can choose.

J. H. WAGGONER.