I felt much better since I gave up hope

I read this on a bumper sticker and thought, "that is counter-intuitive."

I hope that you never give up hope, but only hope will not bring you the happiness that you seek either.

Hope is a very powerful emotion capable of doing lots of things, but happiness is not hope. Happiness is more of gratitude mixed with hope, with a profound sense of eternal destiny and meaning, and most of all obedience to the commandments of God. 

I find that it is ironic that lots of people think that it is possible to be happy without obeying the commandments of God. 

That is counter-intuitive. 

The way to happiness is by keeping commandments designed to make us happy.

Hope makes an anchor to the souls of men. 

Gratitude gives us God's proper place in our lives.

Divine Nature gives us our proper place in our lives.

Obedience gives us meaning and something to strive for. 

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God..."

Let us be happy. There is truly nothing better.