Does God alone suffice for perfect happiness?

[SummitJim]

“As adults we realize that God alone suffices for perfect happiness.” This statement was made in a thread about our pets having souls. Theologically, that statement makes sense. But on a personal, emotional level, I have a problem with it. I believe it must be true, but it is hard to imagine being in heaven and being in the presence of God, and not having or desiring anything more. Is there something wrong with me as a Christian?

 

[TK421]

Yes and no.

God is ultimately the only One we need for happiness because he’s the only One that can bring happiness. Our friends, our family, our beloved saints: these are all creations like ourselves, and they are created by God and sanctified by God.

However, God deliberately created us with the intent of fellowship with each other. So you should not feel disturbed by the fact that you desire love & fellowship with other people. This springs from agape, and it is in accordance with God’s will, and it is not without reason that Heaven is described as a Holy Nation, and a great wedding feast and celebration.

 

[bzkoss236]

I think there is also the fact that we are still on earth and certain aspects of what heaven is like is incomprehensible to us, because of how flawed we are.

 

[Classicist]

God created and sustains everything. Right now. Every. Thing. EVERY. THING.

I invite you to think about this.

God, even now, sustains your favourite poem, your favourite piece of music, your favourite work of architecture, your favourite food, and your best friends in existence.

Everything that makes us happy is allowed to exist by God. How much better is the creator than the creatures? There is no comparison. The gap is infinite.

In God, we are talking about joy on an order of magnitude so incalculable that it is simply Happiness Itself.

He suffices.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

“As adults we realize that God alone suffices for perfect happiness.” This statement was made in a thread about our pets having souls. Theologically, that statement makes sense. But on a personal, emotional level, I have a problem with it. I believe it must be true, but it is hard to imagine being in heaven and being in the presence of God, and not having or desiring anything more. Is there something wrong with me as a Christian?

Nothing that isn’t wrong with nearly everyone else. If all Christians realized and acted on this truth perfectly, there’d be no Christian sinners. And given that all Christians are sinners…

But yeah - God is all we need or could ever want (and indeed, the source of all the good we enjoy now), and that is hard to grasp at times, and harder to put into practice.

 

[Cartesian]

Prayer of St Teresa: (youtube.com/watch?v=aL4rWllTMTM)

Let nothing disturb you,
nothing distress you;
while all things fade away,
God is unchanging.
Be patient, for with God
in your heart
nothing is lacking,
God is enough.

How do you see God? What is your relationship with God? Is it one relationship of belief, reason, theological? What about just loving God?

I know it is hard to resist to earthly pleasures, happiness and suffering and often I will think I can’t exist in a reality without these things. But I believe also that, when you find your love towards God superior to everything on earth, when you adore God with all your heart and all your soul, when you find the goodness in him and his creations (Gen 1:31), then, Yes, God will be more than enough. As a cradle Catholic, I used to believe in and fear Him, but now, I am in love with God.

 

[Joy2day]

Prayer of St Teresa: (youtube.com/watch?v=aL4rWllTMTM)

Let nothing disturb you,
nothing distress you;
while all things fade away,
God is unchanging.
Be patient, for with God
in your heart
nothing is lacking,
God is enough.

How do you see God? What is your relationship with God? Is it one relationship of belief, reason, theological? What about just loving God?

I know it is hard to resist to earthly pleasures, happiness and suffering and often I will think I can’t exist in a reality without these things. But I believe also that, when you find your love towards God superior to everything on earth, when you adore God with all your heart and all your soul, when you find the goodness in him and his creations (Gen 1:31), then, Yes, God will be more than enough. As a cradle Catholic, I used to believe in and fear Him, but now, I am in love with God.