Yes, I’ve always been bothered by Christians’ responses to genuine emotion and feelings. They shy away from all that is normal and natural. I like you analogy and at one time, I would have agreed with it, but now I don’t see the bible as a map to anything but futility. I steer by my own stars now and I’ve felt more peaceful than I ever have. Thanks for the comments however.

Your article reminded me of a long while back when I was a member of a very legalistic Christian group. To them pression was a sign of weakness, so if one was “bummed out” it was always because you didn’t have enough faith. To them one should be able to face anything with a smile on your face. Their favorite piece of the English language was to say “Are you rejoicing brother?”

And if you didn’t have a smile on your face then you weren’t trusting God, and you were also bringing everyone else down by your “faithless attitude”. Paul does say “Rejoice in
the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” but “rejoicing” does not mean one always has a smile on their face. It is referring to remembering what is true in Christ, even when your emotions are all out of whack. This church did not want to admit that emotions are part of life—and just because one is a Christian does not mean they never get depressed, or feel
“down and out”. If we can get physically tired, of course we can become emotionally spent also.

What took me a long time to realize is that emotions can vary tremendously. It is not “sinful” to feel depressed, and it doesn’t have to be lack of faith that causes one to feel down and out either. The important thing is to keep on track. One can be driving to Indiana (just an example) and say “It sure doesn’t feel like were any closer to Indiana”–but if one has a map in front of them, then despite how they “feel” they can know where they are. In the christian life it’s the same—-we can “feel” God is far away, and that we are way off track etc.—-it isn’t a sin to feel that way—–that is normal–our emotions will ALWAYS be up and down.

But we have the “map”, the Bible, and despite how we feel we can always “rejoice” knowing what we are, and what we have in Christ because God is true to his promises. We may not FEEL on track all the time, but we can KNOW where we stand by keeping our eyes on the map. May sound syrupy and stupid—but for me it’s very real. I can be depressed without it being a sign of faithlessness—it’s part of human nature to get depressed at times.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience. So, we will never be truly satisfied out of communion with God/Source.

Says who?

That happy/hippy, new-agey, cotton candy doesn’t go over any better than Christianity or Islam. It’s still based on wishful thinking, presuppositional silliness, and no evidence.

Ask for the real God to show up and don’t be surprised when it happens.

Most of us on this blog have done just that. No show yet. And we’re no longer surprised.

thanks for the advice. I’ve come quite far since posting this and I no longer agonize over it. I also no longer see human beings in such a dualistic fashion. I no longer think of my body, spirit, or soul or whatever as separate entities. I’m all of a piece, meaning whatever we attribute to Spirit is also part of us and inseparable. I’m much more at peace knowing this. thanks for the comment.

It has been a long time! I like the term you use “gospel candy” because that’s exactly what it is. A quick high and then a big let down when the sugar wears off. Yes, the only thing we can do is experience and learn and move on.

I’m glad you stopped by to post.

Welcome to the human race! I’m currently going through a spiritual depression-one to the point that I’m questioning God Herself and Her very essence.

Brand x-tianity is a band-aid, like it or not. As on in the mainline church, I see a lot of emotion and “quick fix” solutions. In fact, it’s been all too superficial. Whe I tried to look up sites regarding my depression I had the same “luck” you did.

Xtianity (as the fundagelicals have it) is afraid to peer into the abyss that Christ tried to point us to. It’s afraid to look at the “hard issues” facing its people and try to gloss it over with “gospel candy” to keep the faithful happy. But still such an experience persists and won’t go away.

My cure? I really don’t know what it is. All I can do for right now is experience and learn from it; and in the end point my life in the direction it needs to go.

‘Til next time, peace!

You’ve just given us platitudes that we’ve all heard a zillion times. No help at all. Try to read and see what’s being said.

Hope this helps!