A common misconception of Christians is that they are all sad and gloomy, never having any fun and always following strict rules.
Christianity in this view is a primary obstacle to living a joyful life.
However, the lives of the saints clearly show that this view is false, as the correct practice of Christianity leads to joy, not sadness.
Sweet, happy and loveable
St. Francis de Sales comments on this worldly point of view in his book Introduction to the Devout Life:
[T]he world runs down true devotion, painting devout people with gloomy, melancholy aspect, and affirming that religion makes them dismal and unpleasant.
While it is true that some Christians may reflect this disposition, it does not apply to all Christians, especially those who are able to let God's grace flow freely in their lives.
St. Francis de Sales explains that true devotion leads to a much different kind of life:
[T]he Holy Spirit tells us through His Saints, and our Lord has told us with His Own Lips, that a devout life is very sweet, very happy and very loveable.
Living the life of a saint doesn't mean that your life will be devoid of pain or sorrow, but that you will be able to see meaning in the suffering and rejoice in it:
Watch a bee hovering over the mountain thyme;—the juices it gathers are bitter, but the bee turns them all to honey,—and so tells the worldling, that though the devout soul finds bitter herbs along its path of devotion, they are all turned to sweetness and pleasantness as it treads;—and the martyrs have counted fire, sword, and rack but as perfumed flowers by reason of their devotion.
When we are more fully united to God's will, we are able to see the beauty in the sorrows of life and to exude joy in the midst of it.
This is why the saints were filled with great happiness as they were brutally martyred. They were able to recognize the hand of God in all things and were filled with joy to suffer in union with Jesus Christ.
Living a Christian life may not be easy, but it doesn't have to be sad or gloomy.
