Biblical Answer

Can I still be happy despite my struggles with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges?

Absolutely, you can still experience joy and happiness despite your struggles with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. Joy is not the opposite of depression, but rather a deeper and more profound experience that can coexist with it. As the passage states, "Joy is the rock," and it is something that you can stand on regardless of your emotional state.

The key to experiencing joy and happiness is to understand that it is not the same as pleasure. Pleasure is a temporary and fleeting experience that can be influenced by external factors, whereas joy is a deep and abiding sense of happiness that comes from within. As the passage says, "Pleasure and joy are entirely different things, and joy is always far better than pleasure." This means that even in the midst of struggles with depression or anxiety, you can still experience joy and happiness.

In fact, the passage suggests that loving others and being in relationships is a key way to deepen your joy and happiness. This is because God created us to love and be loved, and this is a fundamental aspect of our design. As the passage says, "Loving others is not simply a duty; it is the way you are designed." So, even in the midst of struggles with mental health, you can still choose to love and be loved, and this can bring you joy and happiness. Ultimately, the command is to "be holy," not "be happy," but this does not mean that happiness is not possible. Rather, it means that happiness is a byproduct of living a life that is surrendered to God and guided by His principles. As the passage says, "Joy abides and grows over time as you add to what you have." This means that the more you cultivate joy and love, the more you will experience happiness and fulfillment.