It is easy to see joy and depression are opposites. However, the Bible says,
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds
James 1:2
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
2 Corinthians 6:10a
These verses show us it is ok to be sorrowful. Joy is not the same as happiness. It is possible to feel joy even when depressed or suffering. How is that possible?
Joy is being in God’s presence
I looked to John Piper, who coined the phrase “Christian hedonism“. He points us to Psalm 16:
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
We experience joy when we are in God’s presence. This would suggest it is possible to be depressed and be joyful.
Joy is from the Spirit
The Holy Spirit lives in believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). If being in God’s presence is the source of joy, it makes sense that we experience joy through the Holy Spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
Galatians 5:22-23
Joy provides strength
Do not grieve [your sin], for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b
Joy in the Lord gives us the strength to keep fighting depression. And God is much more powerful than any illness!
Choose Joy
Joy is not just a mood. It’s a mindset. We can choose to look to Christ. We can choose to rejoice in our salvation…
How do we receive joy when while depressed?
By being in God’s presence. Joy is not something we can cultivate on our own.
However, we are always in God’s presence. The illness of depression twists and distorts the truth. What we feel is not always what is true. So how can we know the truth of God’s presence with us?
We can know God’s presence with us by immersing ourselves in Him. Such as…
- Read and meditate on the Bible
- Pray
- Listen to Christian music and podcasts
- Go to church
- Meet with other Christians
- Pray some more(!)
- Ask for forgiveness
- Study a topic, such as joy/love/grace in the Bible
- Memorise Bible verses
This is all normal Christian stuff! Unfortunately, that means there isn’t a magic wand to wrap ourselves in joy. However, it also means there isn’t a burden of things to do.
We need to focus on cultivating our relationship with our Heavenly Father (through Christ who saves us and by the Spirit who guides us). And what a privilege that is! We get to use our time to grow in our relationship with the best person (being?? entity??) in the entire universe.
So spend time with God. Don’t feel guilty if depression is blocking your joy. Praise Him anyway. And praise Him in the moments that joy sneaks through.
Disclaimer: I don’t write this as a trained theologian or as a medical professional. I write this as a fellow Christian with depression. Writing helps me to shape my thoughts and I hope sharing those thoughts may help you.
Ponder
Do you believe that Christians should be joyful?
What would it look like, if you were more joyful?
Pray
Lord God, thank you that we can be in your presence because of Jesus. Thank you that you have given us your Holy Spirit. Please help us to recognise your presence and to rejoice in You.
Amen