Hi there. I'm Yvonne, and I'm a wife, Mom of 2 and business chick. Welcome!Which is more Godly:
to be happy?
or to be suffering?
to be happy?
or to be suffering?
I'm curious what your (my!) response would be to this question. Sometimes we answer what we think is the correct (or Godly) answer, but in truth, we live a different way. Think about it...what do you believe about this statement, and how does it affect how you live?
Please...feel free to comment!
PLEASE comment anonymously
1) so that we can be be truthful about what you honestly think you believe deep down...and
2) that our answers don't affect other responses based on relationships we all may have to each other
(PS: define the words as you wish...I'm just throwing it out there as a discussion point that raises honest questions for me!)
Posts
7 comments:
If I were to think about Godly as being "what is God like?", then I would think that He is mostly happy, so to be Godly would be to be happy. However, I don't believe God exists to make us happy and that we cannot expect nor demand that He make us happy. From observation, it would appear that God chooses to use pain and suffering far more as His means to produce and form the character of Jesus in us. I think that our expectation for God to make our lives pain-free is arrogant and short-sighted and that He told us to expect suffering in our lives. At the same time, I believe He truly desires to bless us and to give us great joy and pleasure, but it might not look like what we think it should look like. Our idea of happiness may not equal His idea of happiness. But neither do I believe that suffering equals godliness.
I would say neither are more or less godly - I believe we will have times of happiness and times of suffering. However I do think that it is Godly to maintain an attitude of joy in both situations.
To me, happiness is more a result of circumstances so I wouldn't necessarily consider it "being more Godly". Now joy and contentment, that's another story. Content in all circumstances would be a sign of Godliness to me. And joy in the midst of suffering as well.
I don't think of suffering as being Godly either. Maybe I don't have a clear understanding of the word. I think of suffering as a state of mind. You may have horrible circumstances which may or may not be something God is doing in your life (another topic altogether). However, enduring pain or walking through hardship doesn't mean you have to "suffer".
So, in conclusion, I don't really think it's an either/or. Does this even make sense?
One definition found for Godly: showing great reverence for god; "a godly man"; "leading a godly life"
Personally I like that one better than Harper Collins (having a religious character; pious; devout a godly man)
So I think how I act in my suffering would be the greatest factor in determining when I am most godly (in being happy or in suffering). Am I only happy because everything around me is going wonderfully? Or am I happy because I am full of the love of God and his joy and peace
Good question. So many stumble over it.
I believe happiness IN suffering is godly.
If in general I define like so:
suffering as related to circumstances, not a state of being miserable emotionally; happiness as the warmth of peace and joy emotionally, not circumstantial comfort.
I believe we will be hated because He was, that we WILL have trouble in this world as He said, that suffering proves our faith, refines our character and burns away more of our fleshliness to make us more like Him if we submit to Him in it, and that this life is not about being comfortable.
Coal doesn't become a diamond while sitting on a couch.
If we really live like Him, resistance WILL come, and suffering with it. We resist abandonment to God in order to preserve our comfort, which in this way is a sinful 'pursuit of happiness,' because it is compromise, and does not value God as the most worthy and doesn't believe His Word that pleasures forever more are at His right hand.
I also believe we are called to many denials (or say restraints if you will) of earthly pleasures: generous giving (not enjoying all your wealth yourself), not eating or sexing or anything gluttonously which is to excess, but to restrain our flesh's pleasure seeking.
(That being said, I believe God provided us with AMPLE delights in creation and there is no need NOR virtue in living without beauty and simple godly pleasures.)
If one is always unhappy, (giving allowance for chemical issues I suppose) then to me it points to insufficient gratitude and satisfaction in God.
The one who lives in a happy (circumstantial) bubble, so carefully avoiding suffering and doing all they can to create perfection around them to ensure the continuation of the happy, I would say this person comes up short in compassion, and other depths of character and obedience to God, Christ-likeness, as He certainly didn't shrink from suffering, Thank God, or where would we be!!
In summary, I think the person that is really godly, will have lots of trouble and suffering on this side of eternity, but will have deep peace & contentment within it about the transience of their situation (we're just aliens passing through this foreign land), and a deep joyful satisfaction based on their unwavering position as Christ's Beloved.
Good question. So many stumble over it.
I believe happiness IN suffering is godly.
If in general I define like so:
suffering as related to circumstances, not a state of being miserable emotionally; happiness as the warmth of peace and joy emotionally, not circumstantial comfort.
I believe we will be hated because He was, that we WILL have trouble in this world as He said, that suffering proves our faith, refines our character and burns away more of our fleshliness to make us more like Him if we submit to Him in it, and that this life is not about being comfortable.
Coal doesn't become a diamond while sitting on a couch.
If we really live like Him, resistance WILL come, and suffering with it. We resist abandonment to God in order to preserve our comfort, which in this way is a sinful 'pursuit of happiness,' because it is compromise, and does not value God as the most worthy and doesn't believe His Word that pleasures forever more are at His right hand.
I also believe we are called to many denials (or say restraints if you will) of earthly pleasures: generous giving (not enjoying all your wealth yourself), not eating or sexing or anything gluttonously which is to excess, but to restrain our flesh's pleasure seeking.
(That being said, I believe God provided us with AMPLE delights in creation and there is no need NOR virtue in living without beauty and simple godly pleasures.)
If one is always unhappy, (giving allowance for chemical issues I suppose) then to me it points to insufficient gratitude and satisfaction in God.
The one who lives in a happy (circumstantial) bubble, so carefully avoiding suffering and doing all they can to create perfection around them to ensure the continuation of the happy, I would say this person comes up short in compassion, and other depths of character and obedience to God, Christ-likeness, as He certainly didn't shrink from suffering, Thank God, or where would we be!!
In summary, I think the person that is really godly, will have lots of trouble and suffering on this side of eternity, but will have deep peace & contentment within it about the transience of their situation (we're just aliens passing through this foreign land), and a deep joyful satisfaction based on their unwavering position as Christ's Beloved.
Coal doesn't become a diamond while sitting on a couch.
LOVE THAT!!
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