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The
staple diet for hundreds of students, simply
known as, ‘Trisha’, is a daytime
show featuring guests with various difficulties.
Programmes with titles like, ‘My wife
left me for my brother’, ‘Dads
destroyed by deception’ and ‘My
perm nightmare’ (ok, the last one is
made up) abound. ALOVE Big Issues takes a
look at the “problem” industry.
It seems that a monster of an industry has
grown up around people’s troubles, including
depression. There are hundreds of self-help
books, tapes, DVD’s and seminars available
to buy, which spin all sorts of questions
and messages. ‘Are you happy? Have you
found your centre; established your boundaries
or discovered your inner Jedi?’
So what about scripture? Does it tackle any
of these issues, or is it silent? What does
the Bible show us about depression and joy?
Can we find any kind of answers within its
pages, or is our only option ‘Trisha
or bust’?
One of the most impressive aspects of the
Bible is its ability to describe the emotions
that people feel. It does not lie or try to
dodge the issues of life, but is actually
spectacularly frank (Psalm 73; Matthew 26:36-39).
God would have us work through emotions with
him, not to eliminate them. So for example,
if we are feeling low after bereavement, scripture
sees this as normal. What do we think Jesus
was doing when he wept for Lazarus (even though
he was to see him again)? See John 11:17-37.
In a general sense, scripture is clear in
its comment on human nature and the world
- it is fallen. Things are not as they were
designed to be, that includes our physiological,
biological and spiritual makeup. (Genesis
3:17-19; Romans 8:19-22; Romans 3:23)
One of the popular media and cultural myths
is that gaining the next ‘big thing’
will bring us happiness. We’re pressured
to get the ‘right look’, achieve
status, accumulate money and be the next big
success story. Yet contrast this with the
Christian story and we know that the ultimate
goal for satisfaction and joy is to pursue
God and His kingdom above all. Anything else
will be found wanting.
When we think about joy from a biblical perspective,
we realise that it’s not so much an
emotion (although it’s partly that)
as a state of mind; a position; an outlook
that allows the person to be balanced throughout
life’s circumstances. Paul writes that
he is satisfied with any circumstances he
may find himself in (Philippians 4:11), and
in James 1:2, how we are to, ‘consider
it pure joy... whenever you face trials of
many kinds …’
So here is the crunch: Are we going to pursue
the right goals? Will we develop an iron-like
holiness that burns white-hot with the righteousness?
When we face difficulties, will we do so from
the foundation of Jesus, because we will not
be moved from his all-consuming love for us?
Put simply, we cannot avoid the bad stuff;
it will happen, but if we are to endure it,
we should do so with Jesus as our goal –
not the ‘ distractions’ that society
might throw our way.
Joy can be the possession of every believer,
not because you have to feel happy, but because
joy is an attitude of the Christian cultivated
by the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated by Jesus
to the glory of God. In one of the most remarkable
verses in the Bible it is Jesus that ultimately
displays this: ‘Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured
the cross’ Hebrews 12:2.
The Bible is a brutally honest book. Joy may
be had, but it requires the permanence of
a life centred on God.
Further consideration
...
Peter’s highs and lows.
Compare Mark 8:27-30; John 13:36-38; Luke
22:54-62 and John 21:15-18
Get hold of a concordance and look up Joy,
there’s a lot, delve into a few and
write down your impressions of the verses.
If you are feeling low, you can be unfairly
self-critical, to get a clearer perspective
talk things over with someone you trust.
Read through Psalm 73, what is it that changed
the Psalmist’s mind?
For a look into Gods heart for us read, ‘The
Father Heart of God’ by Floyd McClung,
ISBN 0736912150
Going deeper ...
For information on depression the small and
informative, ‘Understanding Depression’
by Dr Kwame Mckenzie in conjunction with the
British Medical Association is excellent.
ISBN 1898205728 £3.50
Read, ‘Surprised by Joy’ by C.
S. Lewis, as he tells of his journey into
faith. ISBN 0006280838
Compare the disciples emotional state just
after the crucifixion Luke 24:13-49, and their
condition on the day of Pentecost Acts 2.
What could explain the sudden turn round and
the birth of the Church?
Deep end ...
For an introduction to pastoral theology read,
Derek Tidball, Skilful Shepherds: An Introduction
to Pastoral Theology. ISBN 0851107613
Read through Ecclesates and see how the author
uses the contradictions of life to make his
point.
Michael V. Fox, Qohelet and his Contradictions
ISBN 185075148X
Louis Goldberg, Ecclesiastes, Bible study
commentary ISBN 0310418232
Jacques Ellul, Reason for Being, A Meditation
on Ecclesiastes ISBN 0802804055
For approaches to counselling
including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Christian Counselling, Gary R. Collins Ph.D.
ISBN 0850093015
A Practical Workbook for the Depressed Christian,
Dr John Lockley ISBN 085009237
The Feeling Good Handbook, David D. Burns,
M. D. ISBN 0452261740
Our thanks to Helen Gray1 for giving
up her time and providing relevant reading
material based on her considerable professional
experience as a counselor and a Christian.
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| 1 Helen Gray
RGN: ACC & BACP Accredited: UKRC Reg:
Cert. Counselling (Middx): Dip. CBT (Lon) |
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