The pressure to be 'happy'

Whoever preaches the idea that following Jesus will make us happy is selling snake oil. We like to quote from the Bible the promise of an 'abundant life' (John 10:10) and we lean on verses of 'blessings and prosperity' (Jeremiah 29:11) during difficult times; but it is easy to forget that these promises will only be completely fulfilled when Jesus comes back. What Jesus said about following him is tougher to swallow: "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). 

Why so negative? I'm looking forward to Christ's return too; desiring happiness isn't wrong. But we live in a fallen world with self-centered people (including ourselves of course), where forces of decay press down on everyone and everything. Even though Jesus has come, life is far from perfect here and now. This is a biblical fact; a reality we live every moment. 

What's the use of following God then? For one thing, God is God--we follow because he said so. Then there's this thing called peace which helps us persevere through our troubles. God freely dispenses peace to his followers today in the midst of stresses. Then also we prepare ourselves for the coming age by building love for God and charity toward his people, which has everlasting quality. Finally, followers bear witness to Jesus' salvation work leading others to eternal safety.

Ironically, the more people follow God, the more we counteract the decay that has severely grasped our world.