Michael Snyder posted the following:
The Irrepressible Emptiness Of Modern Liberal Society
August 28, 2025
Our society is constantly telling us that true happiness is just around the corner. We are promised that if we will just buy the next product, adopt the latest trend, get more eduction, get a better job, make more money or win a better looking romantic partner, we will finally be happy. But once you successfully make the next step on the hamster wheel, you discover that it was just another empty promise. In fact, there is a very deep emptiness to our modern liberal society as a whole. We are all constantly chasing after the things we are told to chase after, and at the end of the day most of the population still feels an irrepressible emptiness. It is an ache that cannot be controlled or restrained, and that is why so many people spend so much time and effort trying to dull the pain that they are feeling inside.
Modern liberal society offers an extremely “me-centered” philosophy that looks good at first glance.
But if you follow that “me-centered” philosophy all the way to the end of the road, what you get is a Robin Westman…
The alleged shooter, Robert Westman, who identified as a female and went by the name Robin Westman, also expressed in his notes that he wished he had never “brain-washed” himself. …
Despite claiming frustration with having bought into the trans agenda, the alleged Catholic school attacker believed that something as slight as changing his appearance would result in a sense of defeat: “I can’t cut my hair now as it would be embarrassing defeat, and it might be a concerning change of character that could get me reported. It just always gets in my way. I will probably chop it on the day of the attack.”
“I wish I never brain-washed myself.”
Those are very powerful words.
But they aren’t entirely accurate.
Westman simply gave in to the propaganda that we are all constantly being hammered with.
I have seen it happen to so many young people.
And when they figure out that they have been lied to all along, it can lead to crushing despair. https://endoftheamericandream.com/the-irrepressible-emptiness-of-modern-liberal-society/
The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, warned that Satan the devil pushed the way of get, me first, instead of the loving way of give.
Societies, throughout history, have succumbed to the way of Satan.
But you do not have to.
In his booklet, The Seven Laws of Success, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following related to success:
WHY are only the very few—women as well as men—successful in life? Just what is success? Here is the surprising answer to life’s most difficult problem, proving that NO HUMAN NEED EVER BECOME A FAILURE! All who have succeeded have followed these seven laws! The only WAY to success is not a copyrighted formula being sold for a price. You can’t buy it! The price is your own application to the seven existing laws.
DID IT EVER occur to you that there might be a reason why so many people make a failure of life? Not only men and career women, but wives and mothers to!
Are you one who is wrestling with the problem of “making ends meet”? Nearly all of us are. This problem need not mean failure—yet it often leads to it.
It is a fact—the vast majority do wind up failures. Yet none need fail!
Take a look at the facts in the world.
Is THIS Success?
Every two minutes someone in the United States attempts suicide {in 2022, an average of 132 people per day end their lives that way}. Each day nearly 70 persons succeed—but is that success? The World Health Organization estimates that some one thousand people commit suicide in the world—every day!
Suicides now outnumber murders. Now various organizations for the prevention of suicide are a reality! But the cause is individual failure!
Only a minority, of course, go to this extreme, but the overwhelming majority do end their lives in failure.
Much of the world is in current “prosperity.” Yet—in booming U.S.—more businesses failed in a very recent year than in any other in the last twenty-six. Across the world streaks the shocking trend of increasing failures. Scores of millions daily allow he creeping cancer of failure to chain them to a life of unhappy circumstances, from which only death promises release.
But why?
Why are only the very few really successful? Is it mere chance—is it just happen-so—can it be luck? Or are there definite reasons?
Why do all but the very few find themselves, by age 60 or 65, dependents? Why must there by old-age pensions, public welfare aid, charities to support the non-crippled, non-handicapped helpless? Why must children so often provide for aged parents—when it ought to be the other way around?
I am going to tell you why!
There are definite causes! Seven basic laws govern success! It is high time people come to know them, and end this unhappy and needless tragedy!
Since he wrote that booklet, we have seen many self-help books produced, but they tend to leave out the seventh of the laws and not refer to scriptures related to the others.
Life is not random and you really can be successful. The ME FIRST promotions of society do not lead to true success or happiness.
A wise person will consider life and setting proper goals for their life.
Some want money and some to be Olympic athletes.
Regarding money, the Apostle Paul wrote:
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Money will not help you in the next life and may be a hindrance to you in this one.
Regarding being an athlete, the Apostle Paul wrote:
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
Physical goals and accomplishments are temporary.
Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
The FIRST Law
Certainly NOTHING in life is more important than to know: what is real success—and how to achieve it.
What, then, is the first law of success?
Before stating even the first law, let it be said that I am not considering here such general principles of character as honesty, patience, loyalty, courtesy, dependability, punctuality, etc., etc., etc., except as these are automatically included in the seven rules. We may assume that one cannot become a real success without these principles of right character.
But on the other hand, many are honest who have never practiced a single one of the seven laws, specifically. Many may be loyal, have patience, extend courtesy, be punctual, who are unsuccessful because they have not applied a single one of these seven definite, specific rules. Even so, each of these laws covers a vast territory.
Here, then, is the first law of success:
FIX THE RIGHT GOAL!
Not just any goal. Most of the “successful “men I have mentioned had goals. They drove themselves relentlessly to accomplishment. But making money, gaining STATUS in the eyes of people, enjoying the passing pleasures of the five senses, has literally strewn the pathway of history with fears, worries, heartaches, troubled consciences, sorrows, frustrations, empty lives and death.
These things may be had and enjoyed along with true success. But they alone do not bring success. The right goal includes something more.
In other words, the very first law of success is to be able to define success! Once you have learned what success is make that your goal in life.
Do you know that most people go through life without any GOAL at all? In fact, most people, as I’ve said before, do not know, and do not apply a SINGLE ONE of the seven laws of success!
Most people never think of having any PURPOSE in life. They are not going anywhere, in particular.
If you have saved up money for a trip to Paris, or Rome, or London for your vacation or holiday, you spend a lot of time in excited anticipation PLANNING your trip—but you DO have a definite DESTINATION—and all plans are laid to take you to that particular destination—that GOAL. You know where you are planning to go. Otherwise, how would you ever expect to arrive there?
As I said once before, most people have no aim—they are merely the victims of CIRCUMSTANCE. They never planned, purposefully, to be in the fob or occupation in which they find themselves today. They do not live where they do by CHOICE that is, because they PLANNED it that way. They have merely been buffeted around by CIRCUMSTANCE! They have allowed themselves to drift. They have made no effort to master and control circumstances.
The first law of success, I repeat, is to fix the RIGHT goal. Not any goal. One could set a goal in which he had little or no interest, and drift into inaction. The right goal will arouse ambition. Ambition is more than mere desire. It is desire plus incentive—determination—will to achieve the desire. The right goal will be so intensely desired it will excite vigorous and determined effort. It will fire one with incentive.
There should be an overpowering PURPOSE to life. Few have ever known such purpose. Down through centuries and millenniums thinkers and philosophers have pondered, and sought in vain to learn whether life has a real purpose. Socrates, Plato, Augustine among others speculated and reasoned, yet the true meaning of life eluded them. This deepest and most important question in life remained to them a mystery—an unsolvable enigma!
IF one could discover such an overall PURPOSE—a definite purpose for which humans were put on earth—IF one could discover a human potential greater than mere temporary existence, one would think that PURPOSE would be the goal that should excite dynamic ambition!
But—alas! Who has ever discovered such an objective as life’s aim?
Was there nothing greater to look forward to, for my two prominent banker friends? Nothing greater than to enjoy fleeting status, only to be forgotten by those who succeeded them?
What is there, after all, to live for?
I repeat! The first law of real success is to have the right goal! The men I have described, rated eminently successful in the world, all had goals. They applied diligently all of the first six of the Success Laws. But failing the seventh, they misapplied the first. Their success was fleeting.
As far as your purpose goes, God’s purpose for you is for you to become the best you can be so that you can give love in a unique way to make eternity better for yourself and everyone else. More on that can be found in our free online booklet: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?
That said, Jesus pointed out that Christians need to have the right goal. And Jesus told those who wish to follow God what that should be:
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)
Jesus said that His people would pray (Matthew 6) and that is one of the ways to seek first the Kingdom of God–start your day off with prayer. Wisdom and understanding, which the Bible also advocates (e.g. Proverbs 1:2, 4:5), are also appropriate goals.
Wisdom is important. Notice also the following:
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.” (Proverbs 4:5-9)
The Bible teaches that “wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).
Christians should work and have their priorities in order. Notice something else from Proverbs:
27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house. (Proverbs 24:27)
The Apostle Paul also encouraged physical work:
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (2 Thessalonian 3:10-12)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
Having a goal to make a proper livelihood is biblical.
You might think that at your age it is too late to change and become more successful.
That thought would be wrong.
For example, Harland Sanders did not even start his chicken business until after he retired. And by the time of his death, he had the most recognizable face on planet earth.
Anyway, do not limit God. Notice something from His word:
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
So, what should you do:
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:9-10)
Remember, the Apostle Paul wrote:
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
That does not just apply to him, but to you as well.
Maybe, you will be one supporting the work of God in outwardly obvious ways. Or perhaps, in ways that no one sees.
Yet remember:
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:10-12)
As far as being used when older, Moses did not begin to lead Israel until he was 80.
Notice another scriptural example from the New Testament:
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
Note that this did not say Anna got to see Jesus because she was a prophetess, but she was serving God with prayer and fasting.
Here is another example:
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:41-44)
Yes, you should have God’s kingdom as your goal and God will have you succeed. Even if you are rich or poor or young or old.
Setting the right goal (or goals) is important. Otherwise one spends all their time and efforts on things that are not important; or vanity as the book of Ecclesiastes puts it.
You might wonder: Why did God create anything?
The answer is: God created what He did so eternity would be better.
You might wonder: Why did God create you?
The answer is: God created you so that, after you have truly accepted Him and are resurrected, that you will be able to give love in a unique way to make eternity better for yourself and everyone else.
Since eternal life with God will be fantastic beyond human understanding, when it comes to real success, you should heed the words of Jesus and: “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
While you can also have physical goals, like education, a career, a spouse, etc., do not neglect the goal of God’s kingdom.
With so many world events happening that are aligning with end time prophecy, isn’t this the time to be sure that you have the right goal and understand the meaning of life?
We have a free ebook available: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?
We also have the following video:
Choose the Right Goal for Success
Do any human beings have to be failures? Is there a true and real way that leads to lasting success? Are there causes for success and failure? Can the world consider you to be a success, yet God consider you a failure? What did the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God consider to be “the first law of success’? Is there a purpose of life? What did Jesus say that Christians should seek first, focus on? Do you have the right goal? What about wisdom? What about earning a livelihood? Can one become a success even if one is old? What about Harland Sanders? Do you know why God created anything? Do you know why God made you? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters and more.
Here is a link to our video: Choose the Right Goal for Success.
Be an eternal success! Chose the right goal!
Here is a short sermon by Chad Branton related to happiness:
How should a Christian pursue any type happiness? What is righteousness? Are we to pursue knowledge and understanding? Are we to be holy and pursue godliness in faith? What about pride? Should we pursue love? Chad Branton addresses those issues.
Here is a link to the short sermon: Pursuit of Happiness.
The Continuing Church of God also put together the following sermon related to happiness on its ContinuingCOG channel:
Nearly everyone wants to be happy. An advertising campaign decades ago attempted to directly tell us “that’s what happiness is.” Is happiness material goods or physical experiences? Are Christians supposed to be happy? What does the Bible teach about being happy? Does the Bible approach happiness from a different way than the world does? How should a Christian view tests and trials? Are you supposed to rejoice at God’s Holy Days? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more, plus lists fourteen biblical keys to happiness.
Here is a link to the video sermon: 14 Biblical Keys to Happiness.
We also have a short, sermonette, video on this topic:
Want to Be Happier?
Do you want to be happier? Almost everybody does. Inc. magazine posted something online recommending what to focus on to be happy. Although Inc. did not refer to spiritual matters, a couple of its points are applicable to Christians. In this video, Dr. Thiel goes over some key points from Inc. as well as words from Jesus on what our focus should be. He also quotes scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments related to being happy. Wisdom and growing are mentioned. He mentions the Kingdom of God as well as that biblical principles for happiness are applicable to men and women, boys and girls.
Here is a link to our video: Want to Be Happier?
Do not fall for the emptiness that the world’s societies push.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
The Seven Laws of Success Booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong that can help people become successful.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, Mystery of Race, and The Mystery of YOU. Here is a link to two videos in Spanish: El Misterio del Plan de Dios and El Misterio de Satanás, el Misterio de la Verdad, el Misterio del Reposo.