Is Christianity about being 'happy'?

[marks]

Feel as though you are harassing me now truly... Thank you Marks, please just stop.

Not meaning to.

Much love!

 

[Truman]

Cannot taking up our cross include suffering?

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." Matt 10:38

Can persecution include suffering?

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt 5:10-11

Should we not expect persecution?

"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." John 15:20

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt 26:39

Jesus' cup included suffering through torture and death on the cross. What is our cup to be... persecution including suffering and death?

Here he speaks of the cup of James and of John:

"But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." Matt 20:22-23

Again, what is our cup to be? Will there be suffering? Will we be ready to go through if we must?

If we remain always on God's side, will we not bear along side of Him what He expects us to bear?

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom 8:31

The fire of affliction causes the living water in me to boil. This will cause a dreg of sin to come to the surface of my awareness. I see the sin, am filled with grief due to the suffering it has caused my Lord, I repent, with Holy Spirit's help, in that part of my heart, turning 180% back to Father. I take hold of the sin (by faith), take it to my cross that is in the spiritual realm, and, with my spiritual hammer and nails, I crucify it. - This, to me, is walking out Luke 9:23. God taught/showed me this at a retreat I went to 21 years ago. I still practice it, but with less frequency. - For whatever reason, my walk with God is, in some ways, different than most. How this may apply to you? You'll have to ask God that. I have limited understanding of such matters. Shalom.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Is Christianity about being 'happy'?

Yes.
But what defines that happiness changes.

 

[amadeus]

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." I Cor 15:19

As believers we can probably be looked at as miserable people? What does that verse mean to you exactly?

People, that is you or me or the other guy, who focus on expecting Christ making this short allotment of time here of probably less than 120 years a happy time for them in Christ will indeed be miserable.

This time we have is a proving ground, a time of testing, to allow us to do something with what we have been given. We may have a very short life ending up as Stephen did in the Book of Acts being stoned to death before ever engaging much or at all in the things that the natural or carnal man works so hard at without God. Or we may live a 100 years, but who are we working most for, for me in the now, or for God in a never ending heaven?

What does God expect or require from us? Consider the man in the parable who was given one talent and hid it in the earth [being his own body of flesh made of earth]:

"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 25:30

Again what does God expect or require from us?

"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48

That is to say, Much is given... much is required!

Many [most?] Americans claiming to be Christian who have been given so much while accomplishing so little are likely to be in trouble with God. Buried talents have their reward.

 

[marks]

The fire of affliction causes the living water in me to boil. This will cause a dreg of sin to come to the surface of my awareness. I see the sin, am filled with grief due to the suffering it has caused my Lord, I repent, with Holy Spirit's help, in that part of my heart, turning 180% back to Father. I take hold of the sin (by faith), take it to my cross that is in the spiritual realm, and, with my spiritual hammer and nails, I crucify it. - This, to me, is walking out Luke 9:23. God taught/showed me this at a retreat I went to 21 years ago. I still practice it, but with less frequency. - For whatever reason, my walk with God is, in some ways, different than most. How this may apply to you? You'll have to ask God that. I have limited understanding of such matters. Shalom.

I don't know that it's so different. Change a few words, I could be saying this.

To glory in our tribulations comes I think with maturity in Christ, as we learn that our afflictions really are for our good.

When the suffering begins, whether physical, emotional, whatever, I know that God is preparing to give me something I really want. It's easy to get caught up in the fleshy experience of it, but as we learn better what God did for us, rebirthing us, we can get some distance on the suffering, and retain our closeness to the love of God.

We let the suffering bring out those things intended, and, as we choose patient endurance over taking matters into our own hands, and over complaining, and feeling victimized, then we are changed by the experience, improved.

Much love!

 

[Truman]

I don't know that it's so different. Change a few words, I could be saying this.

To glory in our tribulations comes I think with maturity in Christ, as we learn that our afflictions really are for our good.

When the suffering begins, whether physical, emotional, whatever, I know that God is preparing to give me something I really want. It's easy to get caught up in the fleshy experience of it, but as we learn better what God did for us, rebirthing us, we can get some distance on the suffering, and retain our closeness to the love of God.

We let the suffering bring out those things intended, and, as we choose patient endurance over taking matters into our own hands, and over complaining, and feeling victimized, then we are changed by the experience, improved.

Much love!

I gotta tell ya, that week, God freaked me out!

 

[marks]

I gotta tell ya, that week, God freaked me out!

Revelation from Him can do that!

Much love!

 

[MatthewG]

Thank you for sharing some of that insight with me @amadeus.

Believe it is true. Reminding me of that Verse about the Talents, you know would like to give back a little bit more of what is received from God is that is important to give back outwardly to others even though it may be difficult, the more that is given the more we willfully require the desire at least to give more back towards other for the Love of God and them.

The choice you laid out seems much more clear as to also what Ferris suggested.

Or we may live a 100 years, but who are we working most for, for me in the now, or for God in a never ending heaven?

What is it a person desires to reap is dependent on themselves is it here for me in the now or for God in the never ending heaven.

To reap what we sow.

That is what is taken away from your insight.

 

[Truman]

Ha, ha, ha...ohhh.

 

[amadeus]

Thank you for sharing some of that insight with me @amadeus.

Believe it is true. Reminding me of that Verse about the Talents, you know would like to give back a little bit more of what is received from God is that is important to give back outwardly to others even though it may be difficult, the more that is given the more we willfully require the desire at least to give more back towards other for the Love of God and them.

The choice you laid out seems much more clear as to also what Ferris suggested.

Or we may live a 100 years, but who are we working most for, for me in the now, or for God in a never ending heaven?

What is it a person desires to reap is dependent on themselves is it here for me in the now or for God in the never ending heaven.

To reap what we sow.

That is what is taken away from your insight.

Give God the glory for any good and I'll take what I have coming for any bad! Praise His name!

 

[farouk]

Suffering as a Christian involves being patient with others.

@MatthewG I love 2 Thessalonians 3.5: "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

 

[Renniks]

Of course it is. How many Bible verses talk about our hope? Now, happiness isn't always being bubbly and giddy. We can be mourning and still be joyful at our core because of the hope of glory.
It's not the kind of happiness that is about circumstances.

 

[DPMartin]

What are some of your thoughts about this?

As a collection an whole of Christianity; there is some movements that just revolve around that of being in a state of 'happiness'. Is that truly what the bible indicates, that the use of the name Jesus is a name, claim it and grab it type of agenda or is there something else more to the faith itself?

Is there any part of suffering that is involved as a Christian? Especially being hated for the name of Christ Himself?

What are some of your thoughts, are their scriptures you can provide along the way to prove your position or point?

Is Christianity about being 'happy'?

no its not about being happy. happiness is relative. its about the Lord God's satisfaction.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

no its not about being happy. happiness is relative. its about the Lord God's satisfaction.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." John 10:10​

The charismatic movement has gone way off the rails these days, but I thank God I got grounded in the many truths they got right. This is one of them.

"Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17. Amen, and amen, and amen.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Happiness in the Lord doesn't mean being happy while you watch your house burn down with all your possessions and pets inside (nor does it mean living in a mansion). It means finding happiness in the journey despite all of life's heartbreaks. Sometimes it's as simple as seeing a fluffy cloud on a rainy day and having a moment of happiness remembering a warm moment from your childhood and giving God thanks for it. It's the joy and happiness in the simple things of life that God gives his children. He quiets the appetites and desires that drive us humans like slaves and gives us joy in the simple things.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

What are some of your thoughts about this?

As a collection an whole of Christianity; there is some movements that just revolve around that of being in a state of 'happiness'. Is that truly what the bible indicates, that the use of the name Jesus is a name, claim it and grab it type of agenda or is there something else more to the faith itself?

Is there any part of suffering that is involved as a Christian? Especially being hated for the name of Christ Himself?

What are some of your thoughts, are their scriptures you can provide along the way to prove your position or point?

Is Christianity about being 'happy'?

Being Christian means being enslaved to Jesus!

god could care less about our happiness, because He desires to give us something deeper and more fulfilling---Joy!

We will suffere as followers of Jesus, that is part of the result of loving Him and obeying Him.

Happiness is dependent on circumstances going our way- so at best it is 50-50

Joy is depended on being in fellowship with the one who loves us so.

Chritianity has nothing to do with happiness, but everything to do with Jesus regardless of what emotion is crying out for attention.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

god could care less about our happiness

That just isn't true. John 10:10

You're a dad. I don't think for a moment you could not care any less about your children's happiness. I think what you want to say is God cares about our happiness, just not what we foolishly and shortsightedly think is happiness. Right? Certainly, you being a dad, knows what it means for a father to want his children to have happiness.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

That just isn't true. John 10:10

You're a dad. I don't think for a moment you could not care any less about your children's happiness. I think what you want to say is God cares about our happiness, just not what we foolishly and shortsightedly think is happiness. Right? Certainly, you being a dad, knows what it means for a father to want his children to have happiness.

I will trade happiness for my 6 kids with the joy of the Lord everyday!

Happiness is an emotion (and of course I wan t my kids to be happy) but joy comes from character in the Lord and is far deeper than just happiness. Once again happiness depends on things going right while Joy is not dependent on how we feel.

I had a hard 8 days in teh CCU while getting a valve replacement. I was not happy, but filled with Joy- they are different though they may show outwardly in many similar ways.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

I will trade happiness for my 6 kids with the joy of the Lord everyday!

Happiness is an emotion (and of course I wan t my kids to be happy) but joy comes from character in the Lord and is far deeper than just happiness. Once again happiness depends on things going right while Joy is not dependent on how we feel.

I had a hard 8 days in teh CCU while getting a valve replacement. I was not happy, but filled with Joy- they are different though they may show outwardly in many similar ways.

Joy is an emotion. And I am certainly happy when I am joyful. I say the best way to look at the OP is God just has a different measure of happiness than we humans do, not that he doesn't want us to be happy.

 

[DPMartin]

"I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." John 10:10​

The charismatic movement has gone way off the rails these days, but I thank God I got grounded in the many truths they got right. This is one of them.

"Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17. Amen, and amen, and amen.

again happiness is relative

contentment peace of mind and those things one experiences in time like (the Lord is my Shepard and i shall not want) can be one's happiness. but you can bet that's not what the OP thinks because in this world you are supposed to want, and be wanting.