Tag: Depression

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Faith and Your Joy Level

Martha Rodman1 Comment

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 ESV

The other day my check the oil light came on. My car gives me a low oil light warning by showing me a wrench and “oil, 15%”. I thought, I’m still ok. I can drive it a few miles without any danger to the engine. But every time I started the car the little wrench light was there warning me. I knew I had to respond to that little light. Yesterday I got the oil changed and it was comforting to see the oil level was marked 100%. It was reassuring to see that number.

I wish we had a clearly marked “warning, joy level down” marker in our own soul. In John 15 we find Jesus speaking clearly from his heart to his disciples–us included. Everything he taught them from John 14 to 17 are things he shared so “our joy may be full.” John 15:11. If we find our joy level dropping it may be because we have forgotten to pay attention to these instructions. We find the words: abide, obedience and trouble (or tribulation). To walk in the fullness of joy we must surrender to His will. As we surrender, by faith, to His will we can do it grudgingly or joyfully. Our choice is do we dutifully go about our tasks because we know it’s the ”right thing to do”, or do we choose to serve with joy? I would love to say I always serve with joy, but alas it is not true. We are often surrounded by “joy stealers”, and if we aren’t careful we can find ourselves as depressed, depleted and discouraged believers. Not really the abundant life our Lord has planned for us.

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Faith and Loneliness
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Faith and Loneliness

Martha Rodman4 Comments

Walking the widow road at times I admit is often lonely and filled with potholes of opportunities to feel very lonely.  I do know that widows and widowers are not the only lonely people in the world.  In fact it is a true fact that no matter your state in life we all can experience loneliness.

Loneliness, while difficult, can cause some very positive changes in our life if we will embrace it with faith–neither fear nor self-pity.  Last week I talked about the critical inner voice–or the hostile judgmental adviser that we all carry in our heads that seeks to confront our faith and keep us smaller than God intends.  This voice shouts–“you are alone and lonely because you are unlovable”.  I have had to fight against this voice many times.  The Voice likes to talk in generalities–“everyone else…; or No one else…and of course we are never included in either!

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Faith and Your Joy Level
Uncategorized

Faith and Your Joy Level

Martha RodmanLeave a comment

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 ESV

The other day my check the oil light came on. My car gives me a low oil light warning by showing me a wrench and “oil, 15%”. I thought, I’m still ok. I can drive it a few miles without any danger to the engine. But every time I started the car the little wrench light was there warning me. I knew I had to respond to that little light. Yesterday I got the oil changed and it was comforting to see the oil level was marked 100%. It was reassuring to see that number.

I wish we had a clearly marked “warning, joy level down” marker in our own soul. In John 15 we find Jesus speaking clearly from his heart to his disciples–us included. Everything he taught them from John 14 to 17 are things he shared so “our joy may be full.” John 15:11. If we find our joy level dropping it may be because we have forgotten to pay attention to these instructions. We find the words: abide, obedience and trouble (or tribulation). To walk in the fullness of joy we must surrender to His will. As we surrender, by faith, to His will we can do it grudgingly or joyfully. Our choice is do we dutifully go about our tasks because we know it’s the ”right thing to do”, or do we choose to serve with joy? I would love to say I always serve with joy, but alas it is not true. We are often surrounded by “joy stealers”, and if we aren’t careful we can find ourselves as depressed, depleted and discouraged believers. Not really the abundant life our Lord has planned for us.

Continue reading “Faith and Your Joy Level” →