The discouragements we experience in life often drag us down spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. They say that “trouble comes in threes” and that “when it rains it pours.” We are usually just coming out of a trial, currently experiencing adversity, or about to go into some form of tribulation.
Our body may not produce enough of certain elements we need to be able to focus on the positive aspects in our life; therefore, many people attempt to use medication or herbs to combat depression. Medication often has terrible side-effects, but sometimes people find real help by using them.
Therapists often recommend that we eat whole foods, to get enough sleep and exercise, to step “outside of our head,” and to surround our self with positive people in order to combat depression. These are all good aids; however, real deep-seeded joy is rooted in who God is and not in our circumstances, habits, or people.
Our mind is a spiritual battleground that Satan uses to trap us in a downward spiral, which prevents us from serving God. The fruit of the Spirit is joy. It does not fluctuate, because it is not founded on our situation, but on God’s nature, character, Spirit, and Word. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Jesus is always our joy and our solid rock. Our God of hope fills us with His joy and peace as we love Him with our whole heart and put our trust in Him alone. This allows the power of God’s Spirit to abound in us (Romans 15:13).
God’s Word advises us to consider it pure joy when we face life’s many trials. They produce in us patience, endurance, and perseverance (James 1:2-3). Cultivating gratitude for God’s continual love and blessings in our life allows us to delight our self in Him as He puts His desires in our heart (Psalm 37:4).
I read about a preacher who suffered from depression. He prayed, “Lord, I am going to be the best depressed person that ever existed, until You see fit to free me from this satanic bondage.” I have prayed that prayer often, and God did set me free from depression in His way and timing.
However, over the years, I learned that rather than resisting the discouraging circumstances, we change our focus from our issues to one of trusting in God and embracing the problems – regardless of how debilitating they are. God sets our feet to dancing (Psalm 40:2-4), and as we keep our focus on Him, He exchanges His joy for our hopelessness.
Prayer:
Father God, we know without a doubt that life’s issues are perfecting us and giving us opportunities to watch You rescue us through them, and to rely on Your presence within us as You walk with us through the valleys (Psalm 23:4-6, 47:1; Isaiah 9:3). Teach us to carry on our life as normally as is possible, or to develop new habits to successfully transition to this new way of living (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
Remind us that if we trust and hope in You and not in our circumstances, we know without a doubt that You will give us Your joy (Proverbs 10:28). Even though we have not seen You, we love You, trust You, rely on You, and believe in You. You fill us with inexpressible and glorious joy because we see You working in our life in ways that produce our faith in Your salvation and in the power of Your Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:8-9; Romans 15:13).
Thoughts for the Day:
There is incredible rejoicing in heaven every time one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). God’s joy is our strength to overcome grief and depression in times of physical, mental, and emotional distress (Nehemiah 8:10). God is so great in His care and blessings for us that, at times, we feel like shouting out loud and singing for joy (Isaiah 12:6).
