I'm looking for ways to increase my happiness and reduce my suffering.
I'm particularly interested in Christian views. Thank you for your help.

Most people get drunk to escape reality. I.don't drink.

unfortunately it might be the case that god is indifferent toward your suffering. there is untold suffering going on around the world that god could end, but doesn't.

the christian view rectifies this by saying you'll get a better go of it in heaven.

my view is that you should try to help yourself instead of trying to "pray the blues away"

In what ways do you experience happiness, and in what ways do you experience suffering?

Happy

1 Sleeping
2 Eating
3 Day dreaming
4 Internets
5 Working on systems to make money
6 Television
7 2+2
8 Coffee
9 Seeing friends and family
10 Helping people

Suffer

1 No money and seriously in debt
2 No wife
3 No job
4 Bad health
5 Mom is in bad health
6 Take care of mom
7 Little help from God
8 Angry with God
9 Not much hope and terrified
10 Miserable existence

Happy

1 Sleeping
2 Eating
3 Day dreaming
4 Internets
5 Working on systems to make money
6 Television
7 2+2
8 Coffee
9 Seeing friends and family
10 Helping people

Suffer

1 No money and seriously in debt
2 No wife
3 No job
4 Bad health
5 Mom is in bad health
6 Take care of mom
7 $4,000 Stolen from Auction service
8 Verge of home foreclosure
9 Might be addicted to pain relievers
10 Sleep problems
11 Little help from God
12 Angry with God
13 Not much hope and terrified
14 Miserable existence

Take actions into your own hands and don't be miserable? Even if someone believes in a god, they aren't going to do all those things for you.

^^^ I'm not asking for great wealth or a beautiful wife. It's the little things that can make all the difference in life.

This always picks me up
http://youtu.be/Za-uzy56n6U

Count your blessings not your troubles
http://youtu.be/th-DlJ3XsEI

Listen to spiritual music.

Christians have a sustaining joy while the world chases after temporary happiness.

Part of the reason is probably this:

Ephesians 5

15 Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you think you might be, you are. (#9)

This is a huge problem and will downward spiral very quickly. I've seen it happen and if you want to PM shoot away. You should seek help for that first and foremost.

Your money problems will only be exacerbated by pain killer addiction. Further money problems will only exacerbate your current situation.

Tell your doctor you think you are addicted. Ask about NSAIDs such as Celebrex. Don't let this get worse.

Best regards (and be well!),
checkm8

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I should really be a missionary or something similar, but I can't leave my mother alone. I'm paralyzed in action. I have to keep searching.

Do you just make stuff up for no reason? Using scripture to say why a whole entire group of people are happier than the rest is ridiculous. Let me go pull out that IQ vs Religion graph...

Yes, I agree with you and I will implement the actions that you have advised.
And I will keep in mind your kind thoughts. Waiting to see what develops.

Thanks to all

Why is a comparison with group IQs compelling?

I think singing is a spiritual activity. Afaik only people and birds do it.

You don't feel better after singing? I always do and I know a lot of people who seem to, too. Ask some regular singers about it they are more apt to have noticed it then someone that does it inconsistently.

Bible reading is another favorite of mine. I believe it help develops our spiritual minds and a spiritual mind could be a healthier one.

To name a few: humpback whales, bats, some mice (supersonic), antelope squirrels, killer whales, pacific chorus frogs and beluga whales.

Yes well animals have souls, too if you check Genesis it says animals have souls.

But the bible never says anyone but man has a spirit.

What if God gives us a spirit to make up for a soul problem that animals don't have?

People seem to be more out of sync with creation than animals are.

Animals don't debate at all. Perhaps they're already conformed to God's will and humans are the odd animal out.

Of course the above could be wrong. It's purely a different way of looking at things.

My singing is quite awful cause I have a bad voice, I avoid it. Bible reading can make you happy but you said Christians are generally happier people.

How does having a bigger IQ equal more happiness. Thought ignorance was bliss?

That's not what he said.

It wouldn't be accurate to classify my view as "Christian", but I believe Yeshua is the Mashiach ( or "Jesus is the Christ" ).

It's not that important or relevent to increase happiness if you're a believer; after all, believers shouldn't be hedonists.

I don't think you should avoid suffering or persecution, especially for righteousness. Consider Yeshua and many of the early believers; also, what about those that have given up their lives to preach the "gospel of the Kingdom " elsewhere? Read James 1:2-8. [ Note that "pure joy" and "happiness" are not identical. ]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I apologize to the readers for my confusion. I'll try to clarify some things in my next post. This can be a complicated discussion, as I knew that "Happy" and "Suffer" could somehow be intertwined with each other.

That being the case, I will try to explain some of my views which might help you understand my way of thinking and hopefully I can make my thoughts more clear in the future.

Interesting thoughts, but if your life is so devastating that you do not wish to live, then happiness becomes very important or relevant. If happiness is fleeting then we can replace "happiness" for "Joy." Use any word that you like as long as the result is wanting to live.

It's easy to say that I should suffer, quite another thing to actually experience being ignored, neglected and terrified. I'm sure God would say that I'm blessed. Still, I'm trying to look at the "results" in my life and try to relate that to my "actions," as difficult that may be. And I think that I might be closer to obtaining this elusive contentment that I seek.

What does God want for us? What is God's view about happiness, joy, blessed, suffering and sorrow? How can we increase our contentment? These are some of the questions that we will try to answer. To help us we will use scripture, bible commentaries, blog and our real life experiences. Scripture from the King James bible is encouraged. Please include chapter and verse with any scripture that you might want to post and specify if a different translation is used.

This will primarily be a study in Christian views, however I'm also interested in people that have success or failure in finding contentment, along with how it was achieved. This will be an ongoing work in progress and I welcome thoughts about anything related to our goal, in a serious manner.

A lot of people tell me to take drugs or find a relationship to be happy. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

So my advice is get drunk, do drugs, or get sex.

If you're "particularly interested in Christian views," the best way is to die and go to heaven. If your particular sect discourages suicide, reckless self-endangerment is the next best thing. Good luck and godspeed.


ps - Obv, plz no one take this advice. :/

Too late, axe in car