Yes - "God wants me to be happy" has been used to justify a lot of sin. Some Christians say, "God cares more about your holiness than your happiness," which certainly has its own helpful context. I tend to think a little differently about it: "True happiness can only come through holiness." But, a lot should be explained here (some of which you did in your piece). Yes, life includes many, many trials and afflictions - and we should expect them and rejoice in them. Our Savior took up his cross; he did it for the joy set before him. We are called to do the same. (**Side note: I just ordered the first of the "Little Britches" series from our library. From what you have briefly described, I look forward to the values and grit that I imagine I will find therein.) Something that modern folks seem to forget in some of these discussions is that there is much happiness that comes from persevering through really difficult circumstances. I am thinking of someone who perseveres through days and weeks and months and years of daily piano practice (scales, arpeggios, etc.). It feels like drudgery at times, but they persevere because their eyes are on the goal of becoming an accomplished pianist. One day, they will be able to play Beethoven. As Christians, we persevere through difficulties with our eyes on Christ and the new heaven/earth. And yes, I appreciated that you emphasized that it will be hard...we need to embrace that. The prosperity gospel can slip into the thought process of the Christian so easily.
Yes - "God wants me to be happy" has been used to justify a lot of sin. Some Christians say, "God cares more about your holiness than your happiness," which certainly has its own helpful context. I tend to think a little differently about it: "True happiness can only come through holiness." But, a lot should be explained here (some of which you did in your piece). Yes, life includes many, many trials and afflictions - and we should expect them and rejoice in them. Our Savior took up his cross; he did it for the joy set before him. We are called to do the same. (**Side note: I just ordered the first of the "Little Britches" series from our library. From what you have briefly described, I look forward to the values and grit that I imagine I will find therein.) Something that modern folks seem to forget in some of these discussions is that there is much happiness that comes from persevering through really difficult circumstances. I am thinking of someone who perseveres through days and weeks and months and years of daily piano practice (scales, arpeggios, etc.). It feels like drudgery at times, but they persevere because their eyes are on the goal of becoming an accomplished pianist. One day, they will be able to play Beethoven. As Christians, we persevere through difficulties with our eyes on Christ and the new heaven/earth. And yes, I appreciated that you emphasized that it will be hard...we need to embrace that. The prosperity gospel can slip into the thought process of the Christian so easily.