Biblical Answer

Joy in the midst of turmoil is possible because joy is not the opposite of depression, but rather deeper than depression. Just as a rock can stand firm despite relentless rain, joy can stand firm despite depression. In fact, joy can increase over time as we add to what we have. This means that even in the midst of suffering, we can experience joy. Joy comes from God, who is the God of all good things, and He richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17). By recognizing that joy comes from God, we can take joy in the things He has blessed, even in the midst of turmoil.

It's also important to note that joy is not something that can be manufactured or manipulated. It's not something we can create or control on our own. Rather, it's a gift from God that we can experience when we welcome Him into our lives. When we focus on God and the things that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely, we can experience joy that is not dependent on our circumstances. This is why it's so important to look for joy, to welcome it into our lives, rather than feeling like we're betraying our depression by looking for it. By doing so, we can experience joy that is not fleeting or shallow, but rather profound and lasting.

In the midst of turmoil, it's easy to lose sight of joy. But that's when we need to return to the cross and appreciate the beauty of what Jesus did. His sacrifice and willingness to become like us is a source of great joy. By focusing on God and His goodness, we can experience joy that is not dependent on our circumstances. As C.S. Lewis says, "Joy is never in our power and it is never out of our power." (1) It's always available to us, and it's always worth seeking. By seeking joy in God, we can experience a joy that is not fleeting or shallow, but rather profound and lasting.