Joy and depression???
 

i was discussing this some at GNC and wanted some input here:


Can one have the Joy of the Spirit and suffer from depression at the same time?

After last night's Rockies loss.............I believe so.

My first reaction to this questions would be no, but I'm sure someone on here will refute that.

Even if we are right... they gotta argue w us because Lord knows can't no libs be right!!!!!!:ignore

Yes, I absolutely think so. I suffered from deep depression for 10 years. I still struggle off and on with some residual stuff. I figure I always will as I think that the predisposition is probably genetic but I think that people can overcome just as some may be predisposed to being overweight etc. and can overcome.

The joy of the spirit is an abiding hope separate and apart from happiness/depression in life.

ILG, I'm in complete agreement with you. To me, it's like wondering how people can laugh at a funeral.

We can have joy in spite of our sorrows in life.

I agree with H1 & ILG. :)

"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants." -ode to Chuckles the Clown

Joy does not necessarily equate with happiness. You can have deep settled joy and peace and yet have "times" of feeling very unhappy.

Depression and unhappiness are not necessarily one and the same thing either.

So if you're talking about "depression" vs. feelings of unhappiness or "down" that are temporary and fleeting then I don't think you have the joy that comes as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Feelings come and go and so we have our happy and unhappy times. Even when we're temporarily unhappy because of a circumstance or event that caused the unhappiness you can still have "JOY" in its biblical definition. But I don't believe you can be "DEPRESSED" as we usually think of it and be filled with "JOY" at the same time.

My 2 cents ......... :tiphat

Agreed.