Galations 5:22-23

Gal 5:22-23 (NASB) “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”

At my lowest point of depression, no matter how hard I wanted to make myself feel better and stop feeling fear and anxiety I was incapable to change my own feelings. Because God was not controlling me; my feelings were controlling me.

Call me melancholy, or call me a wet blanket, but I am afraid of going on an emotional “joy” ride. Because I know from experience that at the end of the “joy” ride is a crash. I have learned that when I let my emotions (feelings) control my mind (thoughts) and my will (choices) I often have difficulty sustaining joy for a long period of time. This is a cycle very hard to regulate because when feelings are the controlling influence, the emotional high sends the pendulum swinging from joy to depression, leaving the individual feeling guilty in addition to depressed. “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again.” John 4:13

When joy feels as distant to you as the horizon across the ocean? And you are wondering whether you can ever regain joy in your life? The first thing to keep in mind is that joy is not a feeling, but rather is a gift to you from God! Here lies a much better way. Step 1, God teaches or refreshes our mind (what we think.) Steps 2, then we allow Him to direct our will (our choices.) Steps 3, then we allow Him to control our emotions. Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13 (KJV)

“For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh 8:10-11 (KJV), God’s sustainable joy is “of the Lord,” it is not “of our feelings” or effort. It is a gift, if we ask for it then it is ours. It is a fruit of the spirit, and all we need to do is be connected to the giver to qualify for the gift.

Share an experience you have had with sorrow or depression? Explain the process you have gone through or are going through to re-discover joy?

*Originally posted as a comment by Dan on Kingdom Quest Blog on July 21, 2009 5:46 PM