I must tell you the hard truth: I am not naturally a very sad person. But because of genetics, chemical malfunction, and a history of some bad theology, I’ve struggled with depression. I have sometimes met with counsellors, and I have sometimes used the medications they prescribed.
I fully believe in Jesus, but I can relate too well to today’s verses. Though God has richly blessed me, on many days my soul is like a dead battery on a winter morning. I say to myself, “Hey—wake up! What’s your problem? Put your hope in God!” Sometimes that helps, and sometimes it doesn’t. So when I write to you today about “happiness”, I am not talking in the abstract.
Some Christians are just naturally bubbly for Jesus. The rest of us, I’m afraid, must fight for happiness by faith. I find that I need to choose it, discipline myself for it, and make hard choices to have it.
Today, as I contemplate Psalm 42, I realise it is the story of a believer battling back-and-forth for faith and for happiness. If you struggle for happiness, that does not mean you are a bad Christian or a failure. You are just a normal human being, like the psalmist, coming forward by faith in a malfunctioning world. Keep working at it, we’ll fight by faith together.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God. (Psalm 42:5).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, comfort and bless me through my struggles. Father, I am weak, but you are mighty. Be gracious to me and awaken my soul to your goodness. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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