God wants you to be happy!

[bethshemaiah]

I don't understand what you are attempting to communicate here?

I'm trying to show a forest, and everyone is nit-picking the trees.

God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . .

The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . .

But He was us to change our attitude - outlook, perspective, focus, whatever concept fits your theology - for said above state to happen, to be, however you want to word it.

Better?

I think that I am seeing a lush green tropical rain forest..... . No, truly Nebula I do understand that our attitude is the focus in this. And for the most part I do see that it is my attitude that needs to be lined up with His purpose.... I think that I have the right general attitude toward the circumstances that are surrounding me. I know that I am to see that God is increasing my faith in the circumstances that I am dealing with..... and I do have joy in that, I guess therefore I have a degree of happiness.... ouch, yes happiness.

God Bless, Bethany

Thanks for the efforts....

[Emily~Anne]

I have witnessed attitudes by 'Christians' that portray God in a very negative light and they focus only on negative and all the bad things god allows and never seem to praise God. When there is something to praise God for, then they write it off as 'coincidence'. There is always something to praise God for. There is a verse about being content in whatever our circumstamces. Let me see if I can go find it...

Here it is.

Philippians 4:4-13

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable

[EricH]

I don't understand what you are attempting to communicate here?

I'm trying to show a forest, and everyone is nit-picking the trees.

God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . .

The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . .

But He was us to change our attitude - outlook, perspective, focus, whatever concept fits your theology - for said above state to happen, to be, however you want to word it.

Better?

I would go beyond that. God wants our security to be in Him and His character. That does not mean that we will not be emotionally impacted by our circumstances. It simply means that however our circumstances turn out, we have faith in God that He will bring all things about to a result He can call good.

A good example is Paul in 2 Timothy. He was clearly emotionally impacted the the fact that may of the people he had ministered to were not following through for one reason or another (2 Timothy 4:9-13). He was also impacted by the fact that some folks had treated him poorly (2 Timothy 4:16).

Yet his ultimate confidence was in God and His ability to preserve Paul through it all (4:17-18)

Just a side note: Asking questions of clarification is a good thing. it should not be looked down upon as unspiritual.

[Guest Biblicist]

Problem is . . . we want God to make us happy by changing our circumstances.

But . . . God wants to make us happy by changing our attitude.

I do not believe that God wants to make us happy. He wants us to be obedient. In our obedience we learn to be happy with what He has given us. He can not change our attitude. That's up to us.

1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the Truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 John 3:21-23 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Obedience = Submission

[Kabowd]

God wants to be glorified.

[Guest Biblicist]

There is joy in serving Jesus

As I journey on my way,

Joy that fills my heart with praises,

Every hour and every day.

There is joy in serving Jesus,

Joy that triumphs over pain,

Fills my soul with heaven's music,

Till I join the glad refrain.

There is joy in serving Jesus,

As I walk alone with God;

Tis the joy of Christ, my Saviour,

Who the path of suffering trod.

There is joy in serving Jesus,

Joy amid the darkest night,

For I've learned the secret,

And I'm walking in the light.

There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus,

Joy that throbs within my heart;

Every moment, ev'ry hour, as I draw upon His power,

There is joy that never shall depart

[nebula]

I would go beyond that. God wants our security to be in Him and His character. That does not mean that we will not be emotionally impacted by our circumstances. It simply means that however our circumstances turn out, we have faith in God that He will bring all things about to a result He can call good.

A good example is Paul in 2 Timothy. He was clearly emotionally impacted the the fact that may of the people he had ministered to were not following through for one reason or another (2 Timothy 4:9-13). He was also impacted by the fact that some folks had treated him poorly (2 Timothy 4:16).

Yet his ultimate confidence was in God and His ability to preserve Paul through it all (4:17-18)

OK - but that's a different lesson.

[nebula]

I do not believe that God wants to make us happy.

I spent my entire life living in chronic depression. Please don't say that!

He wants us to be obedient. In our obedience we learn to be happy with what He has given us. He can not change our attitude. That's up to us.

Well, changing our attitude is an act of obedience. "Give thanks in all circumstance," "Think on these things...," "Rejoice in the Lord always," "Be content in all circumstance," etc.

[nebula]

How can I be truly happy, even as it regards the Lord? knowing that I do little more than fail him, much like a novice, even a beginner?

How can I be truly happy, since my only purpose for existence is supposed to be to live for God, but knowing I'm nothing but a sinner?

Oh dear brother, you are living under a burden of bondage. Praying you find deliverance.

Try reading Romans 7-8 every day, OK?

[Floatingaxe]

I'll be happy when God takes me home. At least then I won't have to worry about sin any more, yours or mine.

Some things, they are "funny", but I can't say that is happiness. I hope you won't think this is at all out of line.

Happiness is found nowhere in this life,

At best you can avoid some of its strife.

How can I be truly happy, even as it regards the Lord? knowing that I do little more than fail him, much like a novice, even a beginner?

How can I be truly happy, since my only purpose for existence is supposed to be to live for God, but knowing I'm nothing but a sinner?

Do you not know that just by the virtue of knowing god in a personal way and desiring to please Him cause Him to be pleased with you?

Please, please, get into His presence. Worship Him and have a talk with Him! Then just be quiet before the Lord--He will speak lovingly to your heart about how He loves you and delights in you!

Psalm 16:3

As for the saints who are on the earth,