The Storm of Depression and the Lighthouse of Joy

“Jesus Christ is the happiest being in the universe. His gladness is greater than all the angelic gladness of heaven. He mirrors perfectly the infinite, holy, indomitable mirth of his Father.” – John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ

There’s no doubt that a large element of Scripture points to Christ being well acquainted with sorrow. Isaiah 53 prophesied it, and the old rugged cross saw its completion. But even in the midst of all of this, Christ remains the most joyous being of all. He endured and suffered, but the shocking truth is that His propeller was a joy set before Him.

I know what it feels like to be at the lowest of low; floundering in the dumps and hopeless beyond limits. Thoughts like, “Who cares what tomorrow brings when it’ll probably be just like today,” can consume us. We can be in a rut, grab our cookie dough, lay in a dim-lit room, and numb our pain by watching cat videos. Okay, maybe not the cat videos part, but you can pick up what I’m putting down. Sometimes it’s more comfortable to stay in our sadness than to step into the mentality of joy. Comfortability is so deceiving, and keeps us in the here and now. Sometimes we have to do what Christ did – focus on the joy that is yet to come.

Reflection

There is a joy set before each one of us in the hope of the resurrection. At the same time, let’s see some other joys and dreams that God has already deposited in our hearts for our future. Pause. Let Him speak, as His plans for You are exceedingly abundant.

Write down one thing you are looking forward to in the following areas:

• Spiritually
• Vocationally
• Relationally