Smalcald Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 32 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 5,258 Content Per Day: 0.76 Reputation: 42 Days Won: 3 Joined: 06/16/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/22/1960 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Indeed. It is a hard thing, but it helps me to remember the scripture that states that the things, which are seen, are temporary, and the things, which are unseen, are eternal. Our faith is in something eternal, which is unseen. Most of our day to day life is spent dealing with the things that are seen, and yet none of them are eternal, all pass away, so I can have a joy in the unchanging, invisible eternal regardless of what is happening to my body, my possessions, my life, my friends or even my family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebula Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.75 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.94 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 OK, OK . . . po-tay-to / po-tah-to I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching. I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing. Can we agree that this is Scriptural? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethshemaiah Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 150 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/17/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted March 7, 2007 OK, OK . . . po-tay-to / po-tah-to I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching. I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing. Can we agree that this is Scriptural? Okay Nebula, how about this.....? I would have a bad attitude if it wasn't for the joy of the Lord........ Yes, I agree that it is an attitude that we must have.... one that embraces that happiness or joy is not about us but about what Jesus can accomplish in our lives...... I still don't feel "happy" though.... at the moment I still trust Him and hold onto the fact that He is my provider and will accomplish His purpose in me..... that is my joy. Sorry just cannot let it go....... Bethany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricH Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 366 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 10,933 Content Per Day: 1.57 Reputation: 212 Days Won: 1 Joined: 04/21/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted March 7, 2007 OK, OK . . . po-tay-to / po-tah-to I wasn't trying to focus on the happiness vs. joy teaching. I meant to focus on the end to misery being not in our circumstances changing, but in our attitude changing. Can we agree that this is Scriptural? I agree, as long as we don't define attitude as simply having a "positive outlook". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebula Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.75 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.94 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 I need a *faint* smiley so bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricH Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 366 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 10,933 Content Per Day: 1.57 Reputation: 212 Days Won: 1 Joined: 04/21/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted March 7, 2007 I need a *faint* smiley so bad. I don't understand what you are attempting to communicate here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethshemaiah Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 150 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/17/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted March 7, 2007 I need a *faint* smiley so bad. Maybe this is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebula Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.75 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.94 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayin jade Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 44 Topic Count: 6,178 Topics Per Day: 0.87 Content Count: 43,796 Content Per Day: 6.20 Reputation: 11,244 Days Won: 58 Joined: 01/03/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted March 7, 2007 God wants us to be happy - joyful, content, whatever term picks your fancy . . . I can agree with that. The trouble is we want God to change our circumstances to bring us to this state, condition, whatever . . . Man centered. Not what God intends. 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. Christ centered. This is what He intends. Good post Neb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua-777 Posted March 7, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 410 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 3,102 Content Per Day: 0.48 Reputation: 522 Days Won: 6 Joined: 10/19/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/07/1984 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Problem is . . . we want God to make us happy by changing our circumstances. But . . . God wants to make us happy by changing our attitude. A factor, that's important to remember, God never says it's going to be easy, and he never says we will never suffer in this world. He says we will go through trials, and tribulations to perfect our faith, and strengthen us, "james 1:2-6, Romans 5" I do agree with what your saying about changing our attitudes towards our circumstances "philipians 4" The way I see it, I would rather overcome a mountain than stumble on a little hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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