Biblical Answer

Can our daily choices bring joy to others when we're feeling anxious when we're feeling stuck?

Understanding Joy

Joy is not the opposite of depression. It is deeper than depression. Therefore, you can experience both. Depression is the relentless rain, while joy is the rock. Whether depression is present or not, you can stand on joy (Ps. 126:1-2). Joy is not something we can simply will ourselves to feel; it is a choice we make, and it is rooted in our relationship with God. As the Bible says, "You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (Ps. 30:11).

Choosing Joy

When we're feeling anxious or stuck, it's easy to get caught up in our circumstances and lose sight of the joy that's available to us. However, joy is not something that can be taken away from us. Joy abides and grows over time as we add to what we have (Nehemiah 8:10). This means that even when we're struggling with anxiety or feeling stuck, we can still choose to pursue joy. We can choose to focus on the things that bring us joy, even if it's just small things, like a beautiful sunset or a good cup of coffee. By choosing joy, we can bring joy to others, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Practicing Joy

Practicing joy is not about ignoring our problems or pretending they don't exist. It's about choosing to focus on the good things in life, even when things are tough. It's about trusting that God is working in our lives, even when we can't see it. As the Bible says, "Faith, wrote C. H. Mackintosh, raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still" (Ps. 46:10). When we practice joy, we can bring joy to others, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. We can be a source of hope and encouragement to those around us, and we can experience the joy of God in our lives. By choosing to focus on the good things in life, we can bring joy to others, even when we're feeling anxious or stuck.