Depression: When Joy Feels Far Away

Humans love to label things. We have labeled our days of the week, the seasons of the year, the different generations, and just about every trend that comes and goes. We like to put things into categories because it helps us make sense of the world around us.
But what happens when we can't quite put a label on what we're experiencing? What happens when life feels heavier than usual, but we can't explain why? Sometimes, the hardest things to name are the very things we need the most help navigating.

Depression is a hard thing to label and put a name to because it doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes, it looks like exhaustion, irritability, numbness, disconnection, or simply feeling like you're not yourself.

Depression can take many forms. Some people experience depression after a life change, others after a traumatic event, and some experience a low hum of depression throughout their lives.

For some, labeling depression is hard. If it’s not clinical depression or a debilitating season where even taking a shower feels impossible, many won't label it as depression. Everyone will have their own experience with seasons of depression, whether it's a temporary season or something they navigate throughout their lifetime.

Simply put, depression is a lack of joy present in our lives.

Joy is the deep-rooted contentment that comes from trusting in God, finding confidence in the good news of Jesus Christ, and resting in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Joy, coming as a gift from Jesus, is inner strength that produces outer resilience. Seasons of depression can make it difficult to experience this kind of joy, leaving us feeling disconnected from the very things that once brought us peace and contentment.

Hear these words from James: "Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NASB).

Consider it joy. Why does James say that?

James isn't telling us to pretend our struggles don't hurt or to be happy when life feels heavy. He's reminding us that even in our hardest seasons, God is still at work. The trials we face can strengthen our faith and produce endurance, even when we can't see it happening. Joy doesn't mean we enjoy the struggle; it means we can trust that God is still present in the middle of it.

Sometimes, we want to experience joy, but we just don't. That doesn't mean we're failing God or that our faith isn't strong enough. Joy isn't pretending everything is okay. It's trusting that God is still good, still present, and still working, even when everything doesn't feel okay.

We must also remember the hope we have in what is to come: eternity with Jesus. In Revelation 21, we're reminded that one day, there will be no more tears, pain, or death. There will only be the fullness of life in the presence of our Heavenly Father. What a beautiful promise to hold onto when life feels heavy. Our struggles here on earth are not the end of our story.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It's so easy to look at the lives of others and wonder why our own lives don't look the same. We compare our circumstances, our happiness, and even our faith, and in doing so, we can lose sight of what God is doing right in front of us.

Instead of comparing our lives to someone else's, let's focus on praising God in the life He's given us. We have a limited time here on earth, and what a beautiful privilege it is to worship Him not only when life is good, but also when it's hard. Joy isn't found in having a life that looks better than someone else's. It's found in knowing the God who walks with us through every season of our lives.

Maybe you’re reading this and thinking to yourself, “I’ve already hit my limit. I can’t do it anymore. There is no hope or joy for me.” Friend, read this slowly:

You are loved.

You are cherished.

There is hope.

Scary thoughts can enter so easily and turn dark very quickly. Please, if this is you, I’m so sorry things feel this way, but you do not have to face them alone. If thoughts of self-harm or even suicide are something you are experiencing, please reach out to someone. God is close to you.

If you don’t have someone you feel safe reaching out to, your church family is a good place to start. You can call the church office during office hours to speak to a pastor, or you can fill out a prayer request. For immediate help, call or text 988.

Even in the hardest seasons of life, joy is still something we can experience. Scripture reminds us that joy is a gift from God (Galatians 5:22). Joy is not defined by our circumstances. The enemy may try to convince us that our struggles have the final say, but our joy is rooted in something far greater than what we feel or face.

**If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or experiencing several of the symptoms listed below, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional. You do not have to navigate these struggles alone, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There is hope, and support is available.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek immediate support. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Cover photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

© Copyright 2024. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New international Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.