OVERCOMING THE BATTLE IN THE MIND
In today’s culture, anxiety and depression are becoming prevalent and an issue that people often struggle to cope with. Personally, Proverbs 17:22 has helped me navigate through moments in my life where I felt lonely, hurt, and distressed.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22 NIV)
I understand that the verse above may sound like it is undermining people who are chronically diagnosed with depression. However, I believe that when Jesus died and rose again, it was to overcome all our sins and our sorrows. He has been tempted in many ways and yet He did not sin, Jesus continued to model to us what it is like to overcome despair.
In this article, I wanted to delve deep into what the Bible describes as a cheerful heart and share some strategies that I would encourage for my counselees who are dealing with a heavy heart.
One thing I know for sure is that Jesus never promised us that we will have a trouble-free and easy life here on Earth as His followers. It is normal for us to experience sadness in our lives, but it is a matter of how we respond to them. When our focus is placed on ourselves, it becomes tougher for us to rise above life’s challenges.
For someone to have a cheerful heart, it cannot be found in the temporal things of this world, it cannot be filled with vices, nor can it be fixed with antidepressants. A cheerful heart can only be found through Jesus alone because He promises us that He is always with us through “deep waters, rivers of difficulty, or the fire of oppression” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT).
Jesus wouldn’t leave us to deal with sorrow alone, and I would suggest looking through the Word of God to find solace. Something that has worked for me is writing down the Scriptures on a posted note. This helps me to memorize, read aloud, and speak over my soul when a wave of sadness comes.
I often need to do a heart check and identify what causes me to feel distressed. Then I choose to turn to God’s Word and allow Him to speak hope to my soul as mentioned in Isaiah 12:2-3 (NIV) “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and defense; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
I urge you brothers and sisters in Christ to allow the power of God’s work to heal your hurt, empower you, and be a source of peace in your heart. The joy that we receive from Jesus is different from what the world offers, it is long lasting, and it is derived from dwelling in His presence. In John 15:9-13 (NIV) Jesus invites us to draw near to Him to maintain that joy.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Interestingly, He says our joy may be complete in Him which means that any time we spend time with Jesus, we are being rooted into our identity and calling as His followers. On many accounts, we know that Jesus experienced sadness. Jesus cried when Lazarus died, he was in deep sorrow when John the Baptist was beheaded, and cried tears of blood moments before he was arrested by the Romans.
In those desperate times, Jesus continued to display reverence, submission, and zeal to God. He didn’t let his emotions overtake Him, instead He placed His trust in our Heavenly Father. By walking in His Truth, it gives our soul an assurance of who we are in Christ, who God has called us to be, and the covenant we have in Him.
I would suggest pouring out your feelings, thoughts, and prayers into a journal. This has helped me to process my thoughts and allow the Scriptures to renew my mind. The enemy often tells lies and plants fear in our hearts. The good news is, it’s a choice. I invite you to write at least 3 things you are grateful for each day or to write down some attainable goals. Aside from that, try to spend some time outside or worship God through music. I feel that these activities help to regulate our emotions and place our focus back on God rather than on our situation or negative discourse in our minds.
Lastly, I think a cheerful heart also means that we do not thrive in isolation, rather when we are connected to the body of Christ. It’s essential to surround ourselves with people who can encourage, uplift, and pray over us in the highs and lows of life. I thank God for the people He has placed in my life who often give me words of affirmation and words that nourish my soul whenever I share my life experiences with them. Make sure to find people you can trust or a community of faith that can support, and check in on you through a challenging time.
Going back to John 15:12, Jesus says that our joy may be complete when we follow His command, to love each other as He has loved us first. As a youth leader at church, it makes me overjoyed when I see someone whom I have discipled finally realize their capacity to serve God’s Kingdom. It makes sense to me why Jesus says that we need to lay down our lives, or in a way commit our time, attention, and talents to serve God by serving others.
If possible, search for volunteering opportunities in your community or ministry opportunities at your church. To me, contentment is found when we can steward what we have for the welfare of others and by being Jesus’s hands and feet.
I do want to encourage you that what you are going through is valid, but Jesus is never too far out of your reach. Allow Him to sit with you and minister you through your pit of darkness. I exhort you to continue to draw near to Jesus’ presence and cast your anxieties onto Him because He cares for you. I promise you, He is the God who restores and helps us to endure through the storms of life.
Source: Jennifer Wijaya (Global Women Coordinator)
