If it's true that "nothing can make a trusting Christian blue," what should we do when we feel down? Don't we have a right to not feel upbeat when things aren't the way we'd like them to be?

Well, yes and no. While it's important to recognize that feelings of sadness, grief, and disappointment are perfectly normal responses to undesirable circumstances, it is also important to realize that we do not have to allow those feelings to take away our joy in Christ.

How do we move from being overpowered and even controlled by negative feelings, to trusting God and experiencing joy?

The number one step is fully believing that God is good, no matter what. Belief in God's goodness is foundational to trusting Him. When we doubt that He is good, or that everything He does is good, our trust in Him is on shaky ground and our joy is as well. We often doubt God's goodness when we attribute bad things to Him that are simply a result of living in an imperfect world full of imperfect people. When we blame God as the cause, or even blame Him for allowing bad things to happen, we create a distance in our relationship with Him that prevents us from taking the only step that will really help us: turning to Him for comfort and help.

When my brother-in-law was sick with cancer, my sister often made the statement, "God is good all the time." She was reinforcing her belief that no matter the difficulties they were facing at the time, God was just as good then as He was when all was going well.

God's goodness is that He never forsakes us, even when everyone else does. God's goodness is that He walks with us "through the valley of the shadow of death." God's goodness is His mercy and grace in providing moments of relief, sending a friend to encourage us, or a Bible passage that lifts our Spirits. God's goodness is in the many little blessings we encounter every day: a million stars sparkling against a black sky, a child smiling at us, the wonderful flavor of a food we love, or a phone call from a friend.

And that leads us to the next step in finding joy: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18). Some have debated whether this verse means to give thanks for everything, or to continue to thank God no matter what happens. Either way, God is looking for a heart that praises Him. Not only does it bring Him glory, but when we choose to praise Him our hearts naturally begin to trust His goodness, and that trust leads to joy.

The next time you feel blue, first of all recognize that negative feelings are a normal human response to a negative situation. But before you allow those feelings to take over your life, start looking for God's goodness in the midst of that situation. If you can't immediately see signs of His goodness, choose to believe that He is good, no matter what. And then start praising Him. Feelings of joy may not immediately flood your heart, but it's impossible to focus on God's goodness and continually praise Him without eventually experiencing at least a bit of joy.

"And at midnight [while in prison] Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." (Acts 16:25)

© 2009 Fern Horst

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