Joy of the Lord!!!!

"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed"
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I have a Bible study/coaching time with a couple girls after school on Tuesday and we're going through some tough issues including Bad Habits, Demons, Depression, Drug Abuse, Enemies, Fear, Loneliness and a few more. We're discussing them and reading what the Bible says about them. Today we're looking at depression, the book I have goes as far to say that

"Depression is possibly responsible for more pain and distress than any other affliction of mankind."

One key point I came across is that when we're depressed we usually just want to feel better rather than actually finding out the reason why we're depressed.

Another great quote from Billy Graham:
"Discouragement is the very opposite of faith. It is Satan's device to thwart the work of God in our lives. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavourable circumstances."

When I think of any time I was depressed I was most definitely focusing on the bad things and ignoring anything good. I was usually very caught up in my own feelings, what was happening to ME and how I felt. Stuck in selfishness.

Depression may very well be the most common felt symptom of a broken and hurting world in need of saving.
BUT even in the midst of suffering we can look to a loving God, give all our sorrow and pain to Him and ask Him for joy instead!!! How Great is our GOD!!! :D