How To Not Be Miserable?

[acire2014]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

 

[Ana the Ist]

Sounds like you're depressed.

 

[Received]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Yes, God does guarantee your happiness. Check out the word "salvation", which means "wholeness" or "healing". I don't know a healing agent that makes its applicants worse off or even the same health as before.

If God doesn't want you happy, you've gotta wonder if he's doing it because he's mean or severely lacking in power.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

I recommend that you deal with the problem as if God doesn't exist, even if you are convinced that he does. "God helps those who help themselves", and all that. My point is not to be passively dependent on something that's not going to happen, but do what needs to be done yourself. Take charge of your own life.

You are right that Christians are not guaranteed happiness. I have known several chronically depressed Christians.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[keith99]

I recommend that you deal with the problem as if God doesn't exist, even if you are convinced that he does. "God helps those who help themselves", and all that. My point is not to be passively dependent on something that's not going to happen, but do what needs to be done yourself. Take charge of your own life.

You are right that Christians are not guaranteed happiness. I have known several chronically depressed Christians.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Good advice as far as actions go. So many Christians do little more than mope and hope.

But for a Christian I like a small tweak.

Work as if everything depends on you, pray as if everything depends on God.

 

[variant]

Yes, God does guarantee your happiness. Check out the word "salvation", which means "wholeness" or "healing". I don't know a healing agent that makes its applicants worse off or even the same health as before.

If God doesn't want you happy, you've gotta wonder if he's doing it because he's mean or severely lacking in power.

I don't know, I became happier when I no longer felt the need to try to force belief.

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

So what do you think is keeping you from being happy?

 

[variant]

I recommend that you deal with the problem as if God doesn't exist, even if you are convinced that he does. "God helps those who help themselves", and all that. My point is not to be passively dependent on something that's not going to happen, but do what needs to be done yourself. Take charge of your own life.

You are right that Christians are not guaranteed happiness. I have known several chronically depressed Christians.


eudaimonia,

Mark

I think Benjamin Franklin was being a bit sarcastic in that point, but the advice is sound, happiness is something you have to work at.

 

[St_Worm2]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

Hi Acire2014, first off, WELCOME TO CF ..

Why do you believe that you need to "accept" that you will always be miserable (as a Christian or not) .. That sounds horrible and, as Ana the 1st said, "depressed".

If it is advice you're looking for, it would help to know a bit more about you, so if it's not too personal or uncomfortable to talk about, could you tell us why you feel miserable all the time?

Thanks!

Yours and His,
David
p.s. - Praying for you!

"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for calamity,
to give you a future and a hope."​

​

Jeremiah 29:11​

 

[Received]

I don't know, I became happier when I no longer felt the need to try to force belief.

I think anyone would become happier if this was the only option. Isn't that the whole thing behind cognitive dissonance?

 

[hislittlebride]

Happiness is the byproduct and not the goal of the Christian life.

I really don`t believe you became a Christian just to be happy, right? Live your life for the glory of God and He will supply all you need.

What I`m learning the hard way is that God isn`t particularly interested in my own happiness. I live for His glory and that makes my heart content.

 

[variant]

I think anyone would become happier if this was the only option. Isn't that the whole thing behind cognitive dissonance?

Yes, but it would mean that religion doesn't promise me anything.

 

[Received]

Does anything or anyone really promise you anything and always keep that promise?

 

[variant]

Does anything or anyone really promise you anything and always keep that promise?

It's not in their power.

Religion though, proposes something different.

 

[jayem]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

But God acts through natural means probably more often than he acts supernaturally. If you had pneumonia, you would certainly pray for healing, but wouldn't you also take antibiotics? Depression is a physical illness--an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Finding the right medication can be difficult and take time, but it can make a world of difference. Consider it possible that's what God wants you to do.

 

[NannaNae]

he invites you to be his servant and to make him Lord..
this is about him not about you.
he promises salvation to his children.
these are those who learned to trust him as Lord first.
so it is still about him not you.

just like a marriage ... well like marriage used to be.. if you make it about you giving 100% not demanding a 50 /50 relationship which never ends well .
then if you are giving 100 % then you are to busy giving to worry about getting.

he tells us to not worry about tomorrow he will worry about your getting something.


being a christian is first about making him your lord ........ until he makes you , or creates in you a child a new being .

it seems that only comes with trust and trust is probably a learned response.

a lot of people say they are christians.......

But he isn't their Lord and they are not his servants, they don't try and listen or obey.

They are in a 50/50 relationship with someone . probably just by themselves and a pew or a prayer .
which HE has not really ever offered and doubtful is part of His process to create a family from spit and dirt ...

 

[Andrea411]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

The joy of the Lord is your strength... find Jesus - find joy.

Just a place to begin....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6G6GPH9Aiw

 

[edens]

Through listening to my bible study today it was brought to my attention again that becoming a Christian doesn't mean things will become easier. I don't understand why I can't accept that I will probably always be miserable despite being a Christian. God doesn't guarantee my happiness :-(

Try meditation my friend. I did that when I was a teenager it's your thoughts that cause misery in your life. When you lose attachment to them you feel amazing. Also focusing on doing good things in the world and doing your mission while your alive keeps me always happy!