I wish these threads wouldn't degenerate so fast (or if they did, they were at least funnier).
There is a general view, both in and out of church, that people "deserve" happiness and that interior "feelings" are our best and truest guide. I've completely given up on this theory.
Happiness on earth is a combination of the luck, hard work and common sense. Happiness is not particularly a function of salvation. If we strive to eradicate sin in ourselves and to worship God and to minister to our neighbors we may or may not "feel" better about ourselves but we're doing the right things.
Scripture really tells us all we need to know about our behavior (whether we like it or not). Scripture is less forthright about how we are suppose to "feel" at any given time. Popular psychology seems to emphasize these feelings over behavior. To me, it's a cart-before-the-horse type thing.
Boy, I couldn't disagree with you more. Scripture is filled with assurances that God takes care of His flock.
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." -- Hebrews 13:20-21.