Can a Christian have a happy life?

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Angelique

Senior Member
Aug 19, 2016
109
11
18
#1
Can a Christian have a happy life?
Many text in the bible say : we have Jesus peace, his Love, he has joy in prospering his children, He will give us the desire of our hearts, we have the fruits of the spirit, etc.

But on the other hand the bible says this: we shall be persecuted, there will be suffering, insults, calamities, hardships, affliction, we must pick up our Cross and follow Jesus.

I find life very difficult. I battle with depression. I always pray for God to make my live easy. Can a Christian life be easy? I don’t know...
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#2
Sure we can.......what really helped me....

a. Do not worry about things beyond your control
b. Do not worry about something that has not happened yet
c. Cast all your anxiety upon Jesus and let him deal with it and trust God
 
Jul 23, 2017
879
31
0
#3
Sure we can.......what really helped me....

a. Do not worry about things beyond your control
b. Do not worry about something that has not happened yet
c. Cast all your anxiety upon Jesus and let him deal with it and trust God
all sound advice. impossible to do for a worrier like me.
its so stupid to worry about things beyond our control or things that havent happened yet. we still do it all the time. i do it all the time. any tips on how to stop?
 
R

renewed_hope

Guest
#4
Happiness is a choice. Example: The other day, I woke up about the time I leave for work in the morning and I was frustrated because I knew I was going to be at least a half hour late, but I chose to be happy and at peace because I knew God was with me and I spent time in prayer on my way in. Point is I could have at the worst day imaginable, but chose to be happy and ended up having a blessed day...happiness is a choice and I choose to be joyful because all of what God has done for me
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#5
all sound advice. impossible to do for a worrier like me.
its so stupid to worry about things beyond our control or things that havent happened yet. we still do it all the time. i do it all the time. any tips on how to stop?
I used to worry about everything.....and one day while worrying about something that had not happened yet I thought to myself ....you know....this is stupid....it has not happened and might not happen....and guess what...it never happened....and then one day while sitting broke, no job, all worried about the bills all due and having a woe is me moment and really upset, frustrated to the point of tears in 2000....I was questioning God etc. and the door bell rang and it was the mailman with a registered letter which made me wonder who was suing me or something......as I opened the letter and sat there crying hearing over and over in my head...trust God you fool while looking at a $9500 check from my great grandfather's estate.....God is a God of timing and it all fell together...trust God, do not worry about anything beyond your control and or something that has not happened yet.......and it seems the biggest worry most have is money and bills....they will get paid when they get paid.......
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,713
113
#6
Beautiful testimony, David :) God is good all the time!

 
Nov 12, 2017
203
4
0
#8
Can a Christian have a happy life?
Many text in the bible say : we have Jesus peace, his Love, he has joy in prospering his children, He will give us the desire of our hearts, we have the fruits of the spirit, etc.

But on the other hand the bible says this: we shall be persecuted, there will be suffering, insults, calamities, hardships, affliction, we must pick up our Cross and follow Jesus.

I find life very difficult. I battle with depression. I always pray for God to make my live easy. Can a Christian life be easy? I don’t know...
Growing in His grace and knowledge is key to having a joyful life. Even if life doesn't make us happy at times.

Many times we place emphasis on the wrong things in this life. Typically, we tend to put emphasis on other people or ourselves.

Right out of the gate, we need to have salvation "locked and loaded." If we don't have our helmet on and KNOW that it is securely sealed, We lack the proper armor to advance.

In my experience, this the #1 reason we have so many believers that are AWOL. They don't truly have their salvation metabolized in their soul(Am i really saved? I can lose salvation. I must maintain salvation.)<<<<emphasis on self, rather than the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we don't have our eternal life/salvation solidified in our minds, it brings us all kinds of wishy washy thinking.

Life is difficult. But we can have contentedness in this life and the very first doctrine we should understand is our eternal salvation, and we will NEVER perish. This one doctrine alone, brings MUCH relaxation and a relaxed mental attitude towards life and its many difficulties.
 

GuessWho

Senior Member
Nov 8, 2014
1,227
34
48
#9
Can a Christian have a happy life?
Many text in the bible say : we have Jesus peace, his Love, he has joy in prospering his children, He will give us the desire of our hearts, we have the fruits of the spirit, etc.

But on the other hand the bible says this: we shall be persecuted, there will be suffering, insults, calamities, hardships, affliction, we must pick up our Cross and follow Jesus.

I find life very difficult. I battle with depression. I always pray for God to make my live easy. Can a Christian life be easy? I don’t know...
We all have our struggles, battles, ups and downs. The depression can come from doubt, from being tired, from wasted energy and focus, or from isolating yourself from the others. I noticed that if I'm more disciplined, if I have a daily program (little rituals) and stick to it I am more happy and feel better about myself.
 
Sep 14, 2017
900
23
0
#10
Beautiful testimony, David :) God is good all the time!

How true. But we forget that God's ways are not our ways & don't see His "good" at work in our lives.

The more we know God, the more we can see His goodness manifested.
 

Angelique

Senior Member
Aug 19, 2016
109
11
18
#11
all sound advice. impossible to do for a worrier like me.
its so stupid to worry about things beyond our control or things that havent happened yet. we still do it all the time. i do it all the time. any tips on how to stop?
I used to worry about everything.....and one day while worrying about something that had not happened yet I thought to myself ....you know....this is stupid....it has not happened and might not happen....and guess what...it never happened....and then one day while sitting broke, no job, all worried about the bills all due and having a woe is me moment and really upset, frustrated to the point of tears in 2000....I was questioning God etc. and the door bell rang and it was the mailman with a registered letter which made me wonder who was suing me or something......as I opened the letter and sat there crying hearing over and over in my head...trust God you fool while looking at a $9500 check from my great grandfather's estate.....God is a God of timing and it all fell together...trust God, do not worry about anything beyond your control and or something that has not happened yet.......and it seems the biggest worry most have is money and bills....they will get paid when they get paid.......
Thanks for sharing. God is telling me this too. I do trust God, but do worry too. Worry is still is a lack of trust. Not giving God 100% trust. But It is difficult... Because I worry and have a lot of anxiety and depression.
 
J

joefizz

Guest
#12
Thanks for sharing. God is telling me this too. I do trust God, but do worry too. Worry is still is a lack of trust. Not giving God 100% trust. But It is difficult... Because I worry and have a lot of anxiety and depression.
Not really,worry isn't,"not trusting" God,it's just something that shows we care for instance loved ones that live far away,even when we pray for them we still might worry about them because we can't be with them to be certain,God understands this but it's only when you have such worry become an obstacle keeping you from serving God that it becomes an obstacle.
For example in the book of samuel,After Samuel informed Saul that God would give the kingdom of israel to a man after God's own heart,despite knowing that God's choice was justified,he mourned over Saul for quite awhile for he cared that much for him and God had to remind him that he still had work to anointing the next king of israel,David,worry happens God understands this just don't get yourself wrapped up in it and persist to move forward with God.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
859
113
72
#13
In my church there was a guy who had suffered amputation of both arms at shoulder joint. He told me that when his friends went to the hospital to comfort him, he was the one who comforted his friends.

Before losing his arms he played the clarinet in the church orchestra, and after the accident he learned the baritone horn (using pedals to control the valve pistons). He was always happy despite his poverty and the fact that his two sons drifted away from Christ.

That guy was a sufferer, but was always happy. I have no doubt he is in heaven now.
 

MichaelOwen

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2017
909
252
63
#14
In my church there was a guy who had suffered amputation of both arms at shoulder joint. He told me that when his friends went to the hospital to comfort him, he was the one who comforted his friends.

Before losing his arms he played the clarinet in the church orchestra, and after the accident he learned the baritone horn (using pedals to control the valve pistons). He was always happy despite his poverty and the fact that his two sons drifted away from Christ.

That guy was a sufferer, but was always happy. I have no doubt he is in heaven now.
I definitely believe that man had peace and joy from the Lord Jesus, and he showed, even through so much adversity and suffering. 1 Peter 3: 14 says "But, and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." Paul told us to count it joy when we fall into divers temptations and 1 Peter 5 :10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." :)
 

joaniemarie

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2017
3,198
303
83
#15
Happiness is a choice. Example: The other day, I woke up about the time I leave for work in the morning and I was frustrated because I knew I was going to be at least a half hour late, but I chose to be happy and at peace because I knew God was with me and I spent time in prayer on my way in. Point is I could have at the worst day imaginable, but chose to be happy and ended up having a blessed day...happiness is a choice and I choose to be joyful because all of what God has done for me

You are a very wise young lady. It took me about 45 yrs. to learn this. God bless you.
 

joaniemarie

Senior Member
Jan 4, 2017
3,198
303
83
#16
I used to worry about everything.....and one day while worrying about something that had not happened yet I thought to myself ....you know....this is stupid....it has not happened and might not happen....and guess what...it never happened....and then one day while sitting broke, no job, all worried about the bills all due and having a woe is me moment and really upset, frustrated to the point of tears in 2000....I was questioning God etc. and the door bell rang and it was the mailman with a registered letter which made me wonder who was suing me or something......as I opened the letter and sat there crying hearing over and over in my head...trust God you fool while looking at a $9500 check from my great grandfather's estate.....God is a God of timing and it all fell together...trust God, do not worry about anything beyond your control and or something that has not happened yet.......and it seems the biggest worry most have is money and bills....they will get paid when they get paid.......


Thank you for sharing that. You shared it once before and I agreed and was encouraged. Jesus does take our issues and can actually make a problem totally go away in seconds. We know God is able and has all the resources to do that but for some reason we don't "remember' to remember and believe it for every day. (at least I don't always remember without making myself remember) I began believing it for every day when the Holy Spirit began showing up in my daily life. It is a choice to make our minds go there. Just like Renewed said in her post.

For many years I was afraid of everything even the dark when going out to the car or mailbox at night. Or down in the cellar or into a dark room. Not to mention the major issues in life that everyone fears like sickness and death and kids getting into trouble and or getting killed when they were adults. It took a knowing that Jesus would actually take care of everything that changed it all for me. Now when I go out into the dark garage there is no more fear. It still shocks me that Jesus did this major change inside my brain and it's because of the love of Jesus having been experienced and believed.

Knowing Jesus love individually even though He has this whole world to take care of with all the unsaved souls and the millions of saints here and in heaven too and all the angels and all the things He ever created. Yet somehow since He is God Almighty He cares about us individually so as to be 100% sitting next to us right now. (????????) boggles the mind!

And when He sends a miracle like the one He sent you from your great grandfather's estate He gives physical evidences to help us know He is aware and He knows and He is intimately acquainted with very personal issues of His children. He really loves us enough to show us in miraculous ways. These kinds of encouragements are available to us each day to help us on our way in life. I seriously believe He enjoys showing us these amazing evidences.

He has done a similar thing with me involving money and I must sit down and think on the blessings of the past in order to keep them fresh. Human beings have such short memories. The troubles of life can come and distort the reality of Jesus and I have to fight against it by setting my mind on Him and what He did and is doing each day. We are alive because He keeps us alive.

Do you guys know that if we believe we are alive because it's us doing all the maneuvering that He will allow us to walk in our own understanding? How we think totally effects the quality of life.
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
764
113
39
Australia
#17
Define happy lol.. After the Apostles were flogged they walked out jumping for joy that they were considered worthy to suffer for the Kingdom.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#18
Thank you for sharing that. You shared it once before and I agreed and was encouraged. Jesus does take our issues and can actually make a problem totally go away in seconds. We know God is able and has all the resources to do that but for some reason we don't "remember' to remember and believe it for every day. (at least I don't always remember without making myself remember) I began believing it for every day when the Holy Spirit began showing up in my daily life. It is a choice to make our minds go there. Just like Renewed said in her post.

For many years I was afraid of everything even the dark when going out to the car or mailbox at night. Or down in the cellar or into a dark room. Not to mention the major issues in life that everyone fears like sickness and death and kids getting into trouble and or getting killed when they were adults. It took a knowing that Jesus would actually take care of everything that changed it all for me. Now when I go out into the dark garage there is no more fear. It still shocks me that Jesus did this major change inside my brain and it's because of the love of Jesus having been experienced and believed.

Knowing Jesus love individually even though He has this whole world to take care of with all the unsaved souls and the millions of saints here and in heaven too and all the angels and all the things He ever created. Yet somehow since He is God Almighty He cares about us individually so as to be 100% sitting next to us right now. (????????) boggles the mind!

And when He sends a miracle like the one He sent you from your great grandfather's estate He gives physical evidences to help us know He is aware and He knows and He is intimately acquainted with very personal issues of His children. He really loves us enough to show us in miraculous ways. These kinds of encouragements are available to us each day to help us on our way in life. I seriously believe He enjoys showing us these amazing evidences.

He has done a similar thing with me involving money and I must sit down and think on the blessings of the past in order to keep them fresh. Human beings have such short memories. The troubles of life can come and distort the reality of Jesus and I have to fight against it by setting my mind on Him and what He did and is doing each day. We are alive because He keeps us alive.

Do you guys know that if we believe we are alive because it's us doing all the maneuvering that He will allow us to walk in our own understanding? How we think totally effects the quality of life.
Amen.......we forget sometimes that our God is in control and ALL things work together for good <--for God's children that are called and love him.....
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#19
Define happy lol.. After the Apostles were flogged they walked out jumping for joy that they were considered worthy to suffer for the Kingdom.
Amen.....they were filled with JOY....can you imagine bro...most would leave disgruntled, griping and giving up.....
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
3,999
113
#20
Happy only happens, when the happening is happen in. as soon as the happening stops so does one being happy. Example of what happy is

happy is when you enter into the gate of a large amusement park you are HAPPY!!!!!


What are you when you leave ? TIRED, LONG DRIVE home and work on Monday . no longer happy because the happening is no longer happen in.

Joy is not a Joy is not condtional to your sistuation . Joy is there despite your ill situation