Jesus foretold the final outcome of man's disregard of "the wisdom from above" Ja3:13.... " for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.  In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short." Mt24:21
Your quite right about how we perceive reality though, the quality of life isn't really subject to our circumstances, but rather our power of mind over emotion, to make something out of nothing, regardless.