“Fits of depression come over the most of us. Cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.
There may be here and there men of iron to whom wear and tear work no perceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as for ordinary men, the Lord knows and makes them to know that they are but dust.
Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between, “ Charles Spurgeon "When a Preacher is downcast"
If God’s Purpose for my creation was to share with this pauper His Love, His Joy, and His Glory; then, why would I ever feel downcast? Is that an ever pressing reminder of my own failure of faith? We pray; yet, there are times when God says wait–yet we wonder how long? We see the world around us filled with evil and despair, while we cling so tightly to that thread of hope. People in despair without jobs while the very cost of living increases daily. Our salaries diminish, our costs increase and we are pressed against a wall wondering "Why?" I have faithfully tithed all these years, did I expect prosperity in return? Still, He has provided each day the needs of that day. Where do we go when the sorrows and weights of this world seem to creep in to steal our joy in Christ? Is there any purpose in those moments? How do we fight for joy in the midst of our life?
We are certainly not alone in our questions. Look at Paul the Apostle who faced trials from every side, imprisonments, beatings, hunger, and great sorrow at times.
2 Corinthians 7:
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Then look at David, who was haunted by his own failures with there resultant consequences.
Psalm 90: 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
So what do we do? Do we just sit in our sorrow and carry our cross with downcast eyes until the day we die? NO, We fight for our Joy in Christ; laying aside all those counterfeit joys which we formerly desired. We stand on faith and grace; knowing that God has the perfect plan for our life. Paul wrote the question and the answer to the church at Philippe.
Phillipians 1:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Paul desired to leave the worries and trials of this world behind to be with Christ. The burdens were heavy; however, he knew he had a job to do. He was to teach the people how to grow in the "Joy of Faith" Our lives are bought with a grave price. How can I teach you to walk through trials, if I never faced a trial myself? How can I boldly say, you must fight to cling tight to the Joy that is found in Christ when the hurricanes of this world swirl about you?
Let’s briefly look at what Christ promised in John 15.
John 15: 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0fH8TDL5I
Tomorrow we will look deeper into the "these things" Christ referred to so that you might stand and your joy might be full