Then, Spirit 105.3 ruined it.
I have been trying to have more patience with Christian radio stations, and for the most part I think I've been doing okay. However, one comment made by one of the hosts ("radio personalities?") made me so angry that even the caffeine-fueled optimism retreated with its tail between its legs.
"You know, I've just found myself in a low-grade depression lately," the bubbly host said, "which I know is just so not Christian. I mean, we're supposed to be happy and joyful in all things!"
She's lucky I didn't choke on my mini-wheats and cause a major accident on I-5.
In all seriousness, I was angry because she had just voiced what I think is one of the most dangerous stereotypes in Christianland: Depression = Heathens, Happy all the time = Christian. Because we believe in Jesus, we must always be happy. There is no excuse for depression. If you are depressed, then something is wrong with you-- or, even worse, something is wrong with your walk with God.
No. First of all, no one is happy all the time. Christians are often criticized for being "fake" precisely because they try to act like they are always happy, and the rest of the world knows that just isn't possible. Depression is a real issue. For some it is biological, and for others it arrives because of life circumstances. Either way, it is a real beast to be battled. As someone who has had depression touch my life in a number of ways, I get very offended when it is suggested that depression isn't "Christian." I believe that God is with me even when I feel depressed. I believe that my faith has helped me when everything seems to difficult to handle. I believe that in the midst of my struggle with life and myself, when I don't know where to go or what to do, when life just seems heavy, I believe that God is standing beside me, giving me strength and light and life. He doesn't condemn me or cast me out because I am lacking in joy and happiness.
"Happy" is not a Biblical value. It is "Joy" that receives Fruit of the Spirit status. When the word "happy" appears in the Bible, it is as a result of a situation. Something happened that made the people happy. Yet when it speaks of Joy, it speaks of something that grows deep in your soul. Something that is there because of your relationship with Jesus. Joy is sustaining, joy is deep, joy is eternal. It is a fruit of the Spirit-- that is, Joy is a product of God within you.
Joy is something that develops and is arrived at. It is the goal.
I don't think that Jesus would label someone as not loving him who is wrestling with the issues in their lives in a very painful, very real way. He isn't in the business of kicking people out who haven't yet reached the goal. The issue is our relationship with Him. If we are truly seeking God, truly listening and communicating and obeying, then questions and struggles and pain can be just as strong an evidence of faith as constant joyfulness is.
