I am not happy and joyful?

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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I think there's a difference between being happy and being joyful. Unpleasant circumstances might not make us feel happy, but we can, on the other hand, choose to be joyful and have a positive attitude in all things.

Look up some stuff on Jesus's emotions. He went through frustrations, anger, disappointment, loneliness, and a whole range of emotions that would be expected of any human. There was surely joy in Jesus; people found out about him at a wedding party, after all! And can you imagine how awesome it must have been to resurrect & ascend? Any emotion we feel can still connect us to God. Just letting your emotion be your prayer is a wonderful way to work through it.

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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Some people are brain damaged and clinically set on an emotional path of one sort or another. Your happiness is not the point, but what you take pleasure in is. Enjoy GOD. This life is not about you, btw.

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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Not sure of happiness but joy is a deep down settled elation anchored in the redemptive work of Christ (fruit of the Spirit). This joy is not dependent on circumstances (good or bad) but is dependent on an eternal work done in our stead.
OTOH, I would suspect that 'happy' is an emotional state that changes with circumstances.

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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True followers of Christ are constantly persecuted and that's not very enjoyable.

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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I'm pretty sure the disciples were not always happy and joyful, read about their trials tribulation and hardships.

Some churches teach this doctrine but it's false and not biblical.

How can our joy be in a fallen creation, our joy is for what is too come when all things are new. That doesn't mean some joy and happiness cannot be found in this time.

Try to find true fellowship with real Christians, to lift each other up. It saddens me greatly when I hear of fellow Christians struggling, it should never be, we are suppose to support one another at all times through all circumstances but sadly this seems to be disappearing more and more.

May the Peace of GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ find it's way into your heart.

Peace be to all those in the Body of Christ.

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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Have you kept the Lord’s commands? If you have, surely you abide in His love. Isn’t that joyful?

We can have the joy of our Lord if we keeps doing what He calls us to do.

Dear brother, start do His commandments and you will find the joy that He spoke in John 15:11

Single Dude said:

Am I mistaken in that a follower of Jesus should be always happy and joyful because I am not most of the time!

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Happiness is an emotion that is very fleeting, it can go hot or cold at any given moment...don't trust your emotions....but the good news is the overflowing joy that defies description that Christ gives you in your heart.
You can be so sorrowful about something but also so joyful. Following Christ is very difficult at times but he does give us the tools to cope with these tough times.

Since Jesus Himself was not always happy, He wept, He got angry, He was so troubled He sweated blood in Gethsemane,
so there is your first answer.
No: Christians aren't meant to always be happy.

Joy however, is something else altogether.

To me it is that no matter what troubles, circumstances etc, NOTHING can shake what is deep in your heart: the joy of salvation, the fact none can snatch us out of His hand and that He will never leave or forsake us.

It is not a happy clappy always smiling, nothing affects you thing, that is a false state of being and nowhere near biblical.

Single Dude said:

I don't think I have the right relationship with Jesus that I should have that will provide endless joy.

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As time goes on your relationship with Jesus will grow and get deeper.
How?
By spending time in the Bible and prayer and this needs to be an ongoing thing all your life.
We never stop growing in our faith and love for our Lord if we truly follow Him.
Don't be down on yourself, it is a journey we are all on.