How Can A Christian Not Show Joy?
Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009
by Laura Trahan
Joy is something many Christians battle with daily. Right alongside joy is depression. It is often said that Christians should be exhibiting joy. It is a fruit of the spirit that Christians are to show, right? Why then are so many battling depression?
As a wife and a mom, I have struggled with this issue over the last few months. With all the stress of life, I have found it difficult to be happy. I honestly find myself crying at a drop of a hat. I find myself trying to battle a cloud just waiting to engulf me whole. I want to hide out. I want to curl up in a corner.
"What am I doing wrong," I find myself asking. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful church, etc. I am one of those rare people that do take joy in cooking and cleaning for my family. Yet this sadness is still looming all the while with an extra helping of guilt for my Christian walk not being able to show happiness in all circumstances.
I share this because God opened my eyes to something revolutionary last week that I wished I had heard years ago. It would have saved hours of pity and guilt.
I share in hopes that someone who is struggling too can maybe find some comfort in knowing this. When I asked God what was wrong he was quick to answer.
I attended this Bible study with a sweet veteran teacher. She shared about her own struggle with depression and guilt. She told how she was on staff at a church when she experienced the worse depression that she couldn't shake. Her doctor offered her medication, but she declined because she was a "Christian and Christians have Jesus and do not need medicine."
Then God opened her eyes. Her sharing opened my eyes. The joy Paul talks about while in prison has nothing to do with feelings. The joy in the Bible has nothing to do with feeling happy. Do Biblical truths ever have to do with feelings?
The Biblical definition of joy is "a deep and abiding confidence in God." No where in that definition is the word happy!
What a freeing definition! Does that mean God doesn't want Christians to be happy? That is not at all what I am saying.
How freeing is it for me to know that it is ok to be down or sad at times! Granted, joy is something that all Christians are promised and is experienced when believers hear and obey God's word. It is given to us by the Holy Spirit as a gift.
But joy comes from our hope in God. And it is not feeling happy. It is trusting God in all times. Depression is something eating away at our society, Christians included.
It is time that we recognize the issue, pray about it and realize that it is ok to ask for help. God is our refuge and we should never stop praising Him despite our circumstances. Take away the guilt along the way because being real is more beneficial to the non-Christian then being in denial and faking happiness. Genuine people bring more to Christ then those who hide their struggles.
Next time you find yourself needing to cry, go for it without guilt. Remember the true meaning of joy and sit back and let it all out.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Laura, thank you for your honesty, This is a struggle for many people and that definition of joy is a great one. And I am a firm believer in genuine Christianity - whatever it might look like at times, it is easy to take than a phony. Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace. Big hugs, lots of love, TPS, I was just going to write something in my status because someone said something that frustrated me. This article brought conviction to my heart. Thanks a lot Laura!!!!! :-)Thanks T! Hmmm. . .don't you just love when God convicts?!? Thanks for your continued guidance and support! Lots of love!
Laura, as I read this, I was thinking of how I was going to share my revelation to you about joy and happiness. Reading more and I began to smile. as you knew what had been revealed to me! Happiness is definitely man made (worldly). If we wish to be happy, we can create happiness. It's fleeting, temporal and not eternal. I don't have to tell you about joy because you already know. I'm thankful you know! *big smile*
You're wonderful for sharing your admissions and conversations with God. Because of Him, I am always filled with joy! His joy is my strength. Because of Him, I can always create happiness because we are to be of good cheer. Happiness comes from the world but He has overcome the world! I am not saying I do not get depressed. I do! I make a choice. (I'm not opposed to Zoloft being that choice if that is where I'm led.) No, I'm not on it or anything else. I go bonkers sometimes and wonder if I need a script! *laughing*LOL Avis! I am so glad you are back. We have missed you!! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and understanding! It makes a writer feel blessed when someone understands what they were trying to say and then can add to it so much more!Laura, I always get a strong visual when I read your LOL's. Because of your smile, I know it's a hearty one. Thanks for that! And thanks for the welcome back plus your very encouraging, kind and sweet words.
Well done!Most folks think that you cannot have joy without giddiness, and your article is a wonderful and well stated contradiction of that mis-truth.Thanks Ken!
hi laura,i've felt all these feelings.it wasn't until i learned the real meaning of "To thine own self be true" that I began healing. i thought it was selfish, and i had 3 little kids, but when i understood that it simply meant "take care of yourself" so that we can be there for ourselves, our kids and partners and friends and church, i was able to take time for myself once in a while. no kids, no partner, just me, God, and nature. when i get back to reality, i am more fulfilled, energized, and loving.this was a great article. happiness can only come from the inside out, never the outside in. oh, a nice house, a nice car, a nice husband, nice kids, nice friends, neighbors, relatives, fellow church goers, can all bring us happiness, but if we're not happy from within, that happiness will be short lived, in my opinion and experience. it's up to us to do what we need to do to be content. now, i am going to take a nap:) to thine own self be truethanks for sharing,my best to you,sueWell said Sue!! Enjoy your nap!
Laura, even though undergoing the trial we Christians are never to let anyone know our true state of affairs. Well, reality check, how difficult is that for mortals, mere humans? Many not undergoing the trial can offer loving advice and encouragement yet the person living the ordeal, well for them a totally different matter. Many who know me say i always have a smile. They recognize me when I am down and believe me as a mortal there are days I am down, way down. Yet many have reached a spot where they recognize what true love, wealth, happiness is. They cast their woes upon the Lord trusting in Him and do not fret about things they can't control. Now many take my writings as depressing or negative because they deal with reality and tough issues. Yet, we must be able to recognize those issues before we can truly change. Now the gifts of God and real value are not necessarily those we as humans think We tend to dwell on the worldly. Not an easy fight but one we all go through each day. best wishes to you and prayers.
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