Joy

Before we get started, be share to read the previous article, here; It's okay to be happy

I would like to first start this article by saying, Happy Birthday, Unicorn! (She knows who she is). Since our focus has been on men's mental health month, I would like to talk about Joy.
Some of y'all may CS Lewis's work Surprised by joy.
And, as someone with a diagnosed depressive disorder, I often am surprised by joy.
Being a Christian isn't easy. Nor is it supposed to be.
God is our Father, not our genie.
Between the self harm, trying to overdose as a teenager, and finding a way out, out of all of those things, just for one, one single moment of joy, it makes me happy to be alive.
I've had a hard life, poverty, heartbreak, and a probably permanent injury that makes it impossible for me to do a normal job.
But, I would suffer all of that, for just one, just one moment of true joy.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”(Galatians 5:22-24).
I know it's hard to be at peace, but, trust me, you'll be much happier when you are.
Now, this does not mean that you shouldn't show emotion. You very much should.
What I mean, though, is that, when you have Jesus Christ in your life, things become more bearable.
I struggle with anxiety, too. I know it's not easy, but you and I can do it.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)

*All verses from ESV Catholic Edition with Deuterocanonical Books, Copyright 2017 by Crossway

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community on Locals, and, if you'd like to help him out, go here.