Why Joy?

 

To begin with I am in no way against medication for depression that a doctor may have prescribed. I tried medication and the side effects were unbearable physically for me, but I do know that there are people that have success with medication when clinically depressed.

In my darkest hours of my life, I tried doctors, I tried shaking myself up, I tried snapping out of it… to no avail I had become depressed, suicidal depressed!

 I was completely miserable in my fibro pain and fog. I was depressed over various life issues and loss.  Challenges and burdens kept increasing one by one rather than lifting. I was not doing anything different in my life. I was seeking the Lord, praising Him, serving Him, but there was something wrong. I was lacking His joy and my circumstances were dictating my ‘feelings’. 
 

 So as I cried out to God it my greatest time of need, He revealed to me that I needed to seek Joy. Not joy in the sense of happiness but His fullness of Joy, the gift of abundance that He had for me.
I began writing this blog to work my way through depression and seek joy. Why do I find it important to have joy?

It is important that we do not live a life of despair. Jesus came that we may have life to the full.

I honestly have learned over time, that there is a difference between being joyful (feelings) and having a fullness of joy (heart condition). A deep seeded joy that can rise up at any time in any circumstance is a fullness of joy. Not letting your circumstances dictate your joy, is having a fullness of joy. There will be weeping for a night, but your joy can come in the morning. There is a season of grief, but depression has no place in our life. 

The word says that Jesus came so that we may have life and have it to the full. I do not believe that means we will have everything handed to us, never face any trials or that we will be covered in great wealth. God has a different plan for each and every life and each person’s ‘full’ will be different.  What I do know is that the word also says the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

The Joy of the Lord is something that our Father offers us, and we have the right to take that treasure. But how do we do that in the midst of illness, loss, burdens, sadness, despair, financial crisis, broken relationships and lack of self worth?

As I prayed and sought the Lord, He revealed areas in my life and in others lives that may be preventing us from living life full of His joy. It is my desire, to take what the enemy meant to harm me, grow stronger and walk in FULLNESS of JOY and share the glimpses of revelation that the Lord had blessed me with in the midst of trial and storms.

Take this journey to joy with me! Let us share our burdens with one another, lift each other up and have FULLNESS of Joy. 

John 15:10-11

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

 

(ESV)