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Must Christians Be Happy All The Time?

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
From Allision's wonderful blog:

How did the belief begin that Christians not only have to be over the top happy all of the time, but also have the perfect life? There seems to be a growing section of Christians who appear to be under this delusion. They walk around with a permanent smile on their face trying to convince the world of their happiness and their problem free life. It's as if they believe that you are not being a good and faithful Christian if your weaknesses and character defects are exposed. Or taking it a step further, you must not be following Christ as you should if your life has more mountains than valleys. I've even heard people actually say upon hearing of someone else's turmoil, that the person must not be "living right." This kind of comment is just one example of an overall attitude that says if you become a Christian, you will all of a sudden have a care free life and you as a person will become flawless. This is a sticky subject and one that could be easily misunderstood. But these are points that need to be made as often as possible. The way of thinking that I just described is dangerous to the Christian faith because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality.

Read the rest of her article here:

http://iwasbornthisway-allison.blogspot.com/2006/09/true-or-false.html

Do you agree or disagree with Allision that the notion Christians must be happy all the time is dangerous because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality? If so, why or why not?
 

James the Persian

Dreptcredincios Crestin
Sunstone said:
From Allision's wonderful blog:

How did the belief begin that Christians not only have to be over the top happy all of the time, but also have the perfect life? There seems to be a growing section of Christians who appear to be under this delusion. They walk around with a permanent smile on their face trying to convince the world of their happiness and their problem free life. It's as if they believe that you are not being a good and faithful Christian if your weaknesses and character defects are exposed. Or taking it a step further, you must not be following Christ as you should if your life has more mountains than valleys. I've even heard people actually say upon hearing of someone else's turmoil, that the person must not be "living right." This kind of comment is just one example of an overall attitude that says if you become a Christian, you will all of a sudden have a care free life and you as a person will become flawless. This is a sticky subject and one that could be easily misunderstood. But these are points that need to be made as often as possible. The way of thinking that I just described is dangerous to the Christian faith because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality.

Read the rest of her article here:

http://iwasbornthisway-allison.blogspot.com/2006/09/true-or-false.html

Do you agree or disagree with Allision that the notion Christians must be happy all the time is dangerous because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality? If so, why or why not?

I agree. I've come across such Christians and frankly they always strike me as rather cultish. The Christian Union crowd at university tended to be like this - you'd have thought they were on drugs. I think it's dangerous, from a spiritual point of view, because if everything is perfect what do you have to work on? If you're already saved, what point in running the race? Personally, I think this constant and unrealistic euphoria is a form of prelest/plani - spiritual deception.

James
 

Ormiston

Well-Known Member
Sunstone said:
Do you agree or disagree with Allision that the notion Christians must be happy all the time is dangerous because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality? If so, why or why not?

I certainly think it's unhealthy. I don't think anything is dangerous if it's not based on Biblical truth though. In fact, I think just the opposite.
 

RyanD

Member
Probably the worst possible thing for any human being to do is convince themselves that they're happy because once they realize they're not, it's one hell of a rude awakening. You don't need to talk about Biblical truth here, common sense dictates you're going to be unhappy sometimes.

If I were to talk from a spiritual standpoint, something's wrong with a person who's happy all the time and has a smile plastered across their face 24/7, because there is a constant spiritual struggle inside of us to live and think a good life. If there's an imbalance, something's up, and it's most likely not a good thing.
 

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
And inevitable part of the Christian walk are the obstacles and struggles along the way. It's a day by day journey. There are ups and downs, twists and turns. Sometimes, God may allow certain hardships to occur so that we will become stronger people. It's all part of the process.

Edit: God didn't guarantee us happiness but He did promise that He would never abandon us during our times of struggle.
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Christ said we would suffer on his account. God gave us emotions for a reason. Sadness is one of them.

But, I think that we should always look for God's will in even the bad stuff, and we can always be thankful that God stands with us, even in our suffering. That doesn't necessarily make us happy, but it does foster hope and bring some comfort.
 

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
dawny0826 said:
And inevitable part of the Christian walk are the obstacles and struggles along the way. It's a day by day journey. There are ups and downs, twists and turns. Sometimes, God may allow certain hardships to occur so that we will become stronger people. It's all part of the process.

I agree; for one, if life was "Happy all the time", for one, we wouldn't appreciate the good times.

Of course the idea is absurd, and I feel sorry for those who believe it, and try to live by it; it is asking for a big fall, at some stage.
 
A

angellous_evangellous

Guest
Happiness is not the goal of Christianity.
 

Scuba Pete

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

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
NIV

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." NIV

Joy and happiness, while completely distinct from each other are oft times confused.
 

sparkyluv

Member
Any Christian that says they don't go through struggles is lying. There's nothing wrong with showing weakness. We should boast in our weaknesses because it is the strength of God that pulls us through, not our own. When I am weak, then I am strong and I rejoice in that. We are not promised happiness as Christians, but there is a joy.
 

steve218

New Member
We are not promised happiness as Christians, but there is a joy.

Yes, yes. The awful belief of the difference between happiness and joy. I personally think it's nonsense. Joy is forced happiness because you keep reminding yourself that God is with you through turmoil.
If i have to create happiness because God created turmoil. He loses divinity points. Because that is definately something a human wud do.
 

Random

Well-Known Member
When I was a devout Roman Catholic Christian, I experienced a torrid mix of happiness and suffering, especially the latter when I faced my own weaknesses and defects of character. It was a constant struggle with myself, a horror of guilt and longing on one hand frustratingly balanced by sublime moments of joy and peace on the other.

I had to let go of all of it in the end. I didn't want to be tugged and pulled this-way and that for the rest of my life. Ironically, this release lead me even more towards God.

I should say, though, that the goal of "perfection", whatever that is, is legitimate for Christians even if it cannot be immediately understood. I believe Happiness and contentment are properly the end of all true spirituality. If not, there is no point to it at all.
 

CaptainXeroid

Following Christ
Sunstone said:
...Do you agree or disagree with Allision that the notion Christians must be happy all the time is dangerous because it is not based on Biblical truth or reality? If so, why or why not?
Only if you consider an attitude that is unbalanced and unrealistic to be dangerous...:D

Truthfully, I had not encountered this notion that Christians 'must be happy all the time' until I started hanging out on RF. I guess some people confuse the contentment through knowing Jesus Christ with perpetual happiness. Most of the Christians I know have a more realistic view.

I think Allison's last paragraph sums up what I was thinking when I started reading.
Allison said:
...Through His(Jesus) example, we learn that being honest with our words, genuine in our actions, and real in our emotions are much more desirable attributes than faking the "perfect" outward appearances...
I think Jesus set a pretty good example for us to follow.:)
 

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
angellous_evangellous said:
Happiness is not the goal of Christianity.
Which is a great shame, i can't think of any better goal.

Personally, i can't see a problem with people wanting/trying to be happy all the time, and having a positive outlook. Maybe people who are offended or disturbed by happy Christians are just jealous because they are not happy themselves.
 
A

angellous_evangellous

Guest
Halcyon said:
Which is a great shame, i can't think of any better goal.

Personally, i can't see a problem with people wanting/trying to be happy all the time, and having a positive outlook. Maybe people who are offended or disturbed by happy Christians are just jealous because they are not happy themselves.

There are times when we need to be heartbroken, angry, and sad in order to be properly functioning humans.
 

BrandonE

King of Parentheses
Halcyon said:
Maybe people who are offended or disturbed by happy Christians are just jealous because they are not happy themselves.
I think that there are two types of "happy" christians. Those who are honestly happy most of the time because they know the "peace that passes understanding", and those that, as discussed in the OP, perceive that happiness as an end itself to be sought, rather than a "fruit of the spirit", and thus, they paint on a false happiness. The two types are pretty easy to distinguish, and the first type is by no means limited to Christians.
 

YmirGF

Bodhisattva in Recovery
When I am talking about a "lasting happiness" it could indeed sound like bubble-headed babble. However, I am not meaning a mode of behavior that is coloured by FORCED or feigned happiness. To my viewpoint, I could not possibly exist without being an eternal optimist. It is just the way I am. Curiously, I do not tell jokes. My internal sense of humor is distinctly situational and almost nothing passes by the narrow apeture of my worldview without somehow tickling my "funnybone". I am completely serious, btw. Often I will try to make a point while wrapping it in an amusing little package. This helps to bring a very serious point home in a rather indellible way.

I can almost ALWAYS find some good in a rather nasty situation. I can also almost always find something to laugh about over the whole ordeal. My humor is a stress reliever, in fact, and results FROM my quirky worldview.

The simple fact of the matter is that true happiness comes from "peace of mind". My own experience is once you hit even a slight degree of "inner peace" you will automatically gravitate towards proportionate levels of happiness.

If I am wrong, I will still die laughing and with a billion dollar grin on my face.

So. Forced happiness? Totally irresponsible and foolhardy.
Real happiness? Can it really be any other way?

For those of you who would minimize happiness, I would suggest you do so because it is a quality that you are already lacking.
 

Halcyon

Lord of the Badgers
angellous_evangellous said:
There are times when we need to be heartbroken, angry, and sad in order to be properly functioning humans.
I disagree.

BrandonE said:
I think that there are two types of "happy" christians. Those who are honestly happy most of the time because they know the "peace that passes understanding", and those that, as discussed in the OP, perceive that happiness as an end itself to be sought, rather than a "fruit of the spirit", and thus, they paint on a false happiness. The two types are pretty easy to distinguish, and the first type is by no means limited to Christians.
Why can't happiness be "an end itself to be sought"? I think if genuine happiness were the goal of all religions, rather than some mythical salvation or spiritual enlightenment, the world would be a far nicer place to live.

Don't get me wrong, i understand perfectly what you are talking about Brandon.
I just think sometimes people get caught up in ideas of eternal life, spiritual matters, understanding etc, when all they are really looking for is something to make themselves happy. They spend so long searching for happiness, that the search becomes the focus and they forget the goal.
 

BrandonE

King of Parentheses
Halcyon said:
Why can't happiness be "an end itself to be sought"? I think if genuine happiness were the goal of all religions, rather than some mythical salvation or spiritual enlightenment, the world would be a far nicer place to live.
I think it's better to leave happiness as a "fruit of the spirit". While the goal really is happiness, to state it as simply "seeking happiness" rather than "seeking enlightenment/salvation/whathaveyou", it becomes far too easy to misconstrue what "happiness" means. That is however, already a rampant problem in society, completely apart from any religious consideration, so maybe it wouldn't matter.
 
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