Years ago, one of my closest friends was in a deep pit of depression. She suffered so deeply and it hurt to know she was in so much pain. 

Yes – depression is painful. It cuts deep into the heart and can steal your entire life.

I started writing a devotional for her about joy. My hope was that the theme of joy would overpower the sadness and hurt she was feeling each day. 

I don’t know that it had as much impact on her as it had on me. The main thing I learned from studying the concept of joy through the Bible is that it is a choice…one we make every day. It is something we must strive to experience – it is one of the fruits of the spirit, meaning it is something others see in us.

It is possible to be sad and have joy at the same time. Joy is not dependent on happiness for existence. Joy stands alone and can cover over any and every other feeling.

But I gotta tell ya, joy can be difficult to experience once it is overtaken by feelings like depression, helplessness, oppression, abandonment and frustration.

Joy is not manifested from thin air. It doesn’t appear simply because we want it to. It is a feeling deep in your core that results from knowing in your gut that even though the world may feel completely crushing, there is still hope, peace and contentment. It can be stirred by interaction with someone or something. It can be experienced in simple existence.

The key is in your identity. I truly believe you have to have a strong grasp on who you are to have joy. Because the things that steal joy – anger, sadness, loneliness, fear – those things do not define you.

As a Christian, I have hope and faith in a loving God who desires a relationship with insignificant me. That is the core of my joy; but I also find joy as a wife, mother, woman, advocate, friend…even during the times all of those things are hard.

Matthew McConaughey, actor extraordinaire, has some motivation he shares in the videos below. If you’re struggling to find your joy, take a listen. It’s not about where you are or what you’re doing – eliminate the who’s, the what’s, the when’s, the where’s that are keeping you from your identity – what you will be left with is the person who deserves joy.

This Is Why You’re Not Happy – Matthew McConaughey (9.5 minutes)

The 13 Truths – Matthew McConaughey (41 minutes)