joy

In seeing our granddaughter Morgan crawling and standing as she held on to something, swinging her arms with her smiles, and expressing herself with words that are not yet intelligible to us, I was hit with pure joy.

If you know me, you know I've struggled some in my life with depression. Again the numbness of depression had descended on me in recent days. But seeing Morgan lifted my spirits and banished my depression so that the numbness was gone. And later hearing how God has helped my sister, Maxine, was a blessing as well.

Joy is built into life, if we have the eyes to see it. Yes, we live in a fallen world, impacted to its core by sin. But we know by faith that Jesus won and wins the day. And that victory of God begins even now, in this life. So that we can go beyond the joy in creation to where it points: the joy of the new creation in Jesus which will last forever.

Of course we're back to this life. A life filled with problems, difficulties, trials and sometimes tragedies. But even here, besides the common joy we share from our Creator, we can begin to experience the joy we find in the abundant life given in Jesus. A joy which is beyond circumstances, which like Paul said can accompany even sorrow. A joy unruffled in the depths of our being. Only because it is something beyond us, secure in Jesus. A joy from God which gives us strength for our days.

Much more to say on joy. Part of the fruit of the Spirit and part of the kingdom of God reality and experience. 

What would you like to add on this from your own life or thoughts?

the struggle

I remember one of my seminary professors saying something like, "God values more the faithfulness of a Christian who is struggling, over the faithfulness of Christians whose world is 'all good.'" I think there is surely some truth in this.

We have to keep doing what is right, even when it seems all hell is pitted against us. But we will fail at times. But then we have to keep getting up back on our feet, to continue our walk of faith.

I have struggled over the years with depression. Some see easy ways out of depression; I was recently told so by a brother who is a committed and intelligent believer whom I respect, but who reminded me of one of Job's friends. I believe in ever seeking to live out God's truth from Scripture (here's just one good passage among many for any depressed person to meditate on). This book I am reading and will be rereading and referring to the rest of my life I think, is easily hands down the best I've read on depression, and in helping us see from God's word especially, what we who struggle with depression should do.

Sometimes we may not know why we struggle as we do; at other times it will be clear enough such as in a sin issue. But I accept struggle as a part of living in this life. We struggle due to weaknesses because of a number of factors. Sin has been mentioned and who doesn't struggle with that from time to time, perhaps over a wrong attitude, or over temptations that come our way, or over the impact sin has in our lives when we give into it. Repentance and faith in confession to God is important here. As well as proper confession to another or others.

And there are other factors, such as learned ways of thinking about ourselves which need to be unlearned. We easily gravitate to the old life in Adam, even for us who are in Christ in the new way of life. We have to unlearn the old and learn to live in the new in Jesus. And "the flesh" as that which represents this old way of life found in the world and fanned into flame by the devil, is a factor as well. We who are in the Spirit and not in the flesh are to thus walk by the Spirit.

Physical factors in this fallen world can affect us as well, as we know. In extreme cases medication can help (you can tell I'm not a fan of meds, but they have their place, I believe). And personality. I look at some people who seem to be effervescent most all the time, while others are quiet and seem placid to the point of what might seem to border on boredom. We have to be careful not to expect others to simply line up where we do, nor should we expect to line up easily where we think others are (and God knows each heart). We do need to share our struggles with God and with trusted friends who can pray, listen and encourage and speak helpful words in season.

Just some scattered words on struggling. So much more to say on this, and I've only looked at just a small part of what struggle might be, and really only a small part of that.

What might you like to add here on this?

praying liturgically when depressed

I've begun reading Edward T. Welch's book, Depression: A Stubborn Darkness: Light for the Path. I like everything in the book so far, and the entire book looks good and balanced in important ways. And written in a way to help a depressed person read it. And others of you who don't battle depression will benefit from it.

In it he "talks" very well about the help "liturgical prayers" can be for those in depression, and then wisely points us to the psalms which consist largely of prayers. It is true that in depression one often has no heart to do anything, prayer certainly included. We read psalms which express human suffering in ways we readily identify with when depressed. Welch has wise, helpful words for us on this.

Just a couple of days ago my depression was weighing heavily on me (yesterday, much lighter, sometimes hardly present) and throughout the day I began to recite over and over, the Jesus Prayer: "Jesus Christ, Son of God; have mercy on me a sinner." As I repeated it, I more and more entered into it, this prayer becoming my very own. The cry for mercy is seen often in the psalms. We do well in Jesus, to come with confidence to the throne of grace for mercy and help in our time of need. I did so through that simple, Scriptural prayer, and I did find God's help that day.

I'll be blogging more on this book, as I think it's an excellent read for those of us who suffer with depression. Even for those of you who do not, this book has value, since we all can be down over the troubles of this life.

Any thoughts you'd like to add here?

the Body

I think many of us tend to underrate and underestimate the importance of the Body of Christ in our lives. I think this plays out in our practice, individually and corporately. People might "go to church," but not really much to interact, though thankfully the church we're a part of is very strong in interacting.

For any who know me, they'll know I've struggled off and on with depression, most all my life. I have steered clear of meds, because the one I took wore off, and the other gave me splitting headaches at times. Recently, for some time now, I've struggled again with depression.

Sunday I went forward to get prayer from one of our pastors- Sharon (her husband, Jack, is our other pastor). She has a gift for praying and encouraging as well as counseling others. And she preaches quite well. Jack and her are a wonderful team at our church! Anyhow after she prayed for me I soon felt the urge for the first time in many days to pray. And I did. And since then my depression has lifted and has gradually gone away. So that now, I feel okay, and ready for more life.

The Body of Christ. Just how important are our brothers and sisters in our lives? Do we have a reciprocal relationship of receiving from them, and giving back from what God gives us through them? Little do we know the blessing in Jesus we can be to each other. And the blessing we can receive from others. I received a good reminder firsthand of the truth and power of this on Sunday.

What thoughts would you like to add on this?

tomorrow: "Forest Star - humility" from L.L. Barkat, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places