Depression is not something that you just wish away. Sometimes the bondage and suppression of this emotional problem can take more time and effort to overcome than we think. No, you cannot tell someone to just "stop being sad."
But even in the most debilitating form of depression, we can still experience the joy that is found in Christ. James 1:2-3 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." That's exactly what depression is—a trial. But even in the deepest trial we can find joy.
Here are four ways to find and experience the joy found in Christ even in the midst of a battle with depression.
1. Know That Joy Is More Than a Feeling
Joy is more than a feeling. It is first and foremost a person, and that person is the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that the fruit of the Spirit includes joy (Galatians 5:22), and that it comes naturally when He is around. With that we are assured that we can find joy even in depression. Even in this state of mind, we can still experience the joy that comes with the Spirit of God.
Joy is not just about your emotional state. It is much larger than that. I'm not saying that we should neglect our emotions. But we shouldn't let it block our view of a bigger God who promises comfort.
2. Find Joy in Your Salvation
The psalmist David once cried out in his greatest grief after being convicted of his grave sin against God, saying, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
What David understood—and what we should all understand—is that there is joy in knowing that our final destination is not here.
There is greater joy waiting for us in the life after this, where there will be no sorrow and grief. That should give us hope that our inner healing will not happen only in the afterlife but even here on earth because our salvation starts not when we die but when we are reconciled to Christ.
3. Stay Persistent in Fellowship
Relationships can be tough, but the right ones can edify and build us up. If you are struggling with depression, you can find the right people who will understand you and be there to extend God's love and grace to you. Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
4. Worship and Intercede in the Good and Bad
We can and should worship and pray to God in good and bad times. God doesn't close His door to you just because your life isn't perfect. Hebrews 4:16 in fact tells us, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." God's presence waits for the broken and contrite, not the perfect and needless.
