I'm not happy as a Christian

[ozso]

I have been struggling with my walk with God. I just dont find happiness or satisfaction in him. I only follow or try to follow his commandants because I'm told to. Following God has just given me frustration and anxiety from what feels like doing a bunch of rules and regulations. Were told to find our satisfaction in Christ not things in the world but I cant and since his word is true that the world will never be able to satisfy us where does that leave me? I know its not good for me but I dont seem to be getting any help. I dont have that much of a happy life. I don't want to have this type of relationship with God but I do right now.

It pretty much boils down to learning to prefer good stuff over bad stuff. God wants us to move towards good stuff that's good for us and others, and move away from bad stuff that's bad for us and others.

 

[DragonFox91]

What is your Christian life like? If you're just going to church when you feel like it, reading the Bible only when you're down, or listening to Christian music every other day, you're probably not drinking from his well enough. He says his well never runs dry. It's not something you punch in & punch out of. He is your life. So you may not be happy in him simply b/c you're not getting enough of him. We were discussing this in church today. Are you surrounding yourself w/ the saints for encouragment? You're posting here so that's great.

 

[ozso]

Imagine having to deal with lust every single day then not being allowed to act on it. You know how annoying that is?

No need to imagine. Most every man who's been your age can relate.

 

[DragonFox91]

Try 30s & never dated

 

[Anonymous0210]

Try 30s & never dated

I had some sad thoughts involving getting myself chemically castrated. Either that or pray that God takes away my sexual desires if his plan for me is not to get married. I don't want to deal with it.

 

[Anonymous0210]

What is your Christian life like? If you're just going to church when you feel like it, reading the Bible only when you're down, or listening to Christian music every other day, you're probably not drinking from his well enough. He says his well never runs dry. It's not something you punch in & punch out of. He is your life. So you may not be happy in him simply b/c you're not getting enough of him. We were discussing this in church today. Are you surrounding yourself w/ the saints for encouragment? You're posting here so that's great.

It's an issue of my heart not my works.

 

[DragonFox91]

I had some sad thoughts involving getting myself chemically castrated if God's plan for me is not to get married. I don't want to deal with it.

No! Don't do that! Never ever! The Blind don't gouge their eyes out even tho they can't see! But -> I know what you mean too. It's okay. What the Lord has created, let no man destroy. Have you tried going to the Singles section here. I wonder if this is way 'I'm not happy as a Christian".

It's an issue of my heart not my works.

The Lord promises new hearts, hearts of flesh & not of stone. The problem exactly is the heart so he gives new ones. His Spirit enters you & lives in you.

 

[Anonymous0210]

No! Don't do that! Never ever! The Blind don't gouge their eyes out even tho they can't see! But -> I know what you mean too. It's okay. What the Lord has created, let no man destroy. Have you tried going to the Singles section here. I wonder if this is way 'I'm not happy as a Christian".

The Lord promises new hearts, hearts of flesh & not of stone. The problem exactly is the heart so he gives new ones. His Spirit enters you & lives in you.

So what should I do then? Because I don't find joy in my walk. It also doesn't help that we're told that some things are ok for some people but not for others and it seems like to me the knee-jerk reaction to a lot of things is it's sinful which doesn't make me happy either.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I have been struggling with my walk with God. I just dont find happiness or satisfaction in him. I only follow or try to follow his commandants because I'm told to. Following God has just given me frustration and anxiety from what feels like doing a bunch of rules and regulations. Were told to find our satisfaction in Christ not things in the world but I cant and since his word is true that the world will never be able to satisfy us where does that leave me? I know its not good for me but I dont seem to be getting any help. I dont have that much of a happy life. I don't want to have this type of relationship with God but I do right now.

It's pretty disappointing when God can't be formed in our own image, but we get over it.

In general, you sound depressed, the type of theology selected by depressed people keeps them depressed.

What you need is more spirituality in your Christian walk.

Perhaps that frustration regarding self imposed rules is what you need.

In any case, I hope you find what you're looking for.

God bless.

 

[Anonymous0210]

It's pretty disappointing when God can't be formed in our own image, but we get over it.

In general, you sound depressed, the type of theology selected by depressed people keeps them depressed.

What you need is more spirituality in your Christian walk.

Perhaps that frustration regarding self imposed rules is what you need.

In any case, I hope you find what you're looking for.

God bless.

What type of theology are you talking about? Also wdym by the self imposed rules is what I need?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What type of theology are you talking about? Also wdym by the self imposed rules is what I need?

The need for rules, structure, foolproof plan to avoid harm, these are the symptoms and the prison that hinders transformation.

Self imposed rules seem good, but cause frustration because God operates outside of them. The frustration is useful for change inwardly. Ask yourself, "why" are you frustrated?

 

[eleos1954]

I have been struggling with my walk with God. I just dont find happiness or satisfaction in him. I only follow or try to follow his commandants because I'm told to. Following God has just given me frustration and anxiety from what feels like doing a bunch of rules and regulations. Were told to find our satisfaction in Christ not things in the world but I cant and since his word is true that the world will never be able to satisfy us where does that leave me? I know its not good for me but I dont seem to be getting any help. I dont have that much of a happy life. I don't want to have this type of relationship with God but I do right now.

There is nothing wrong with God's laws .... we are to keep them out of love and for no other reasons. Without the law we would not know what sin is.

While this might seem like a complicated question, there’s a simple way to look at it. Sin is a failure to love God and love others. It is the opposite of love.

This is why the Bible’s definition of it is lawlessness, or transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4).

The law we’re talking about here is what Jesus Himself called the two greatest commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36–40).

It is selfishness, then, that breaks the law of God. And it’s something every human being struggles with. Romans 3:23 reminds us: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV).

But all is not lost. God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth…forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6–8, NKJV). Because of the gift of forgiveness we’re offered through Jesus Christ, He will always help us if we look to Him.

If love is indeed the fulfillment of the law, then we should be careful not to think of law in a way that is separate from love or to think of love in a way that is disconnected from law. In Scripture, love and law go together. The divine Lawgiver is love, and accordingly, God's law is the law of love.

 

[Anonymous0210]

The need for rules, structure, foolproof plan to avoid harm, these are the symptoms and the prison that hinders transformation.

Self imposed rules seem good, but cause frustration because God operates outside of them. The frustration is useful for change inwardly. Ask yourself, "why" are you frustrated?

Because my life as a Christian is not a happy one. I don't do a lot of things because I feel like I shouldn't whether it's something like not viewing a form of media(not porn) for entertainment because it may have themes that aren't the best. I mean I just started trying to listen to more secular music about romance again after rationalizing the fact that songs of solomon exist in the bible and that's ok. Then like obeying the government to the letter of the law sucks and like I said a lot of things that may not be sinful feel sinful to me which can be annoying. And again, I'm about to be 25 and have been single my whole life and don't know if I will ever get married which sucks.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I'm about to be 25 and have been single my whole life and don't know if I will ever get married which sucks.

This one seems to be the main issue. The other things you said are common among 20 something Christians.

Do you have a church to fellowship at?

 

[Anonymous0210]

This one seems to be the main issue. The other things you said are common among 20 something Christians.

Do you have a church to fellowship at?

It is but it wasn't like this originally for me. I think part of why it's becoming more of an issue for me is because I'm getting older and feeling like I'm missing out. Idk if I would be someone who is capable of being in a committed relationship plus the stories about other marriages not ending well plus seeing some in my own life but I guess I just wanted to give it a shot. I do attend a church but I don't think there is a lot of singles at it and the ones that are I just figured would be incompatible with me since I do not want kids.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

It is but it wasn't like this originally for me. I think part of why it's becoming more of an issue for me is because I'm getting older and feeling like I'm missing out. Idk if I would be someone who is capable of being in a committed relationship plus the stories about other marriages not ending well plus seeing some in my own life but I guess I just wanted to give it a shot. I do attend a church but I don't think there is a lot of singles at it and the ones that are I just figured would be incompatible with me since I do not want kids.

That is difficult, but at least you're being honest about it. Most people get married to have kids, so I can understand your hesitancy. I heard of other forms of networking such as local meetups through online apps. If you do not want to enter that kind of relationship, seek out relationships and activities that fit who you are and what you want to do.

 

[Anonymous0210]

That is difficult, but at least you're being honest about it. Most people get married to have kids, so I can understand your hesitancy. I heard of other forms of networking such as local meetups through online apps. If you do not want to enter that kind of relationship, seek out relationships and activities that fit who you are and what you want to do.

I have this app called "meetup" But there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in my local area.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I have this app called "meetup" But there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in my local area.

It came to mind, I do recall social networking being really important in my 20s. Try other ways of meeting with people, it might help with your perceived quality of life.

 

[T.i.m.o.t.h.y.]

I have been struggling with my walk with God. I just dont find happiness or satisfaction in him. I only follow or try to follow his commandants because I'm told to. Following God has just given me frustration and anxiety from what feels like doing a bunch of rules and regulations. Were told to find our satisfaction in Christ not things in the world but I cant and since his word is true that the world will never be able to satisfy us where does that leave me? I know its not good for me but I dont seem to be getting any help. I dont have that much of a happy life. I don't want to have this type of relationship with God but I do right now.

Most things in life are done according to being told to. Welcome to life. But finding happiness in Christ is by gratitude in salvation. Isaiah 61:10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Gratitude begins by remembering the event of hearing the gospel and our response of giving our heart to God through Jesus Christ. Bless the Lord o my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name. (Ps. 103)
I said that with no emotional feeling. But yesterday I experienced holy emotions about it. So emotions are transitory therefore they shouldn't be relied upon to gauge our faith or obedience to God.

Sometimes we are to be like soldiers in the army of the Lord and say, Sir, yes sir! When we read the words 'command' or 'obey' in the scriptures. Doesn't matter what our feelings or attitude at the time. Obeying is freedom from bondage to emotions and attitude. Lean not to your own human thinking, be not wise in your own eyes, but trust in the Lord with all your heart-soul-thoughts, emotions, perceptions, attitudes, memories, imaginations.. get them all in line and acting together like drummers in cadence marching precisely in sync with each other. (I watched such a video yesterday).. Acknowledge Him in all of your ways of obedience and serving Him, and He shall direct, make straight and smooth your path. (Pv.3:5-6)

There are some Bible versions that say "Happy are those who.." instead of saying "Blessed are those who.." Having joy and satisfaction in Christ is according to the faith that you activate in obedience in receiving with gladness, encouraging yourself in the Lord, - with the encouragements in the sayings of Jesus and elsewhere by others in the Bible.

All faith is according to obedience, not according to feeling happy that you're saved.

If your happy feelings seem to have gone to sleep, then stir them awake again by reading outloud to yourself and to God the joyful verses in the Psalms and giving thanks to God always, and as the Apostle Paul said, and again I say rejoice.
When he and Barnabas were in prison, their feet if not wrists shackled, he had an excellent reason to think-feel that God had deserted them. But what did they do? Conclude in agreement that God indeed had? No. They praised God.

Don't wait for your emotions to feel happy, because they are not the leader, they are to follow your inner being ( you) that delights in the law of the Lord. (Rm.7:22)

 

[Purge187]

I empathize with the OP. I'd like to see that whole "have life more abundantly" thing happen more often.