1 Thess 5:16 (NIV) Be joyful always
Chinedu: Pastor, something strange is happening to me. I’ve been feeling spiritually weak lately. Temptations seem to have a stronger grip on me, and I’ve even been experiencing more frequent nightmares.
Pastor Dele: I expected as much.
Chinedu: Really? Why aren’t you surprised?
P. Dele: Ever since you didn’t pass that professional exam, I’ve noticed a change in your demeanor. Your usual cheerfulness and joy seemed to vanish. That’s when I realized that your spiritual strength might start slipping away. I’ve been praying for you, Chinedu. You see, when the Bible says “be joyful always,” it’s not just advice; it’s a command because the Lord knows that His joy gives us strength (see Nehemiah 8:10c).
Chinedu: So, how do I overcome this depression?
P. Dele: You can start by changing your perspective. Instead of dwelling on complaints and a sense of loss, why not express gratitude and remember all that the Lord has blessed you with? Remember, you worked hard to become a doctor, something many aspire to but never achieve. Think about all those who started medical school but couldn’t finish.
Thanksgiving and praise are powerful tools to push away feelings of heaviness and fill your heart with God’s presence. Don’t let the devil deceive you. The fact that you’re alive today is reason enough to be thankful. If Satan were as powerful as he claims, he would have taken your life long ago.
Spiritual strength is vital for every Christian, and a key to this is maintaining constant joy. It not only empowers you for spiritual battles but also opens the door to physical blessings (see Deuteronomy 8:18).
Go into today determining to be joyful by focusing and meditating on the goodness of the Lord.
Prayer: thank the Lord for all He has done for you.
—Abraham Damilola Arigi
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