A Comfort and A Caution For the Unhappy Christian

What should Christians do when we feel sad, unhappy, and depressed?

Is it okay for a follower of Jesus to experience unhappiness, even feelings of depression?

How should a Christian think through this dilemma?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981), a Welsh pastor and former physician who pastored at Westminster Chapel in London provides a helpful comfort and a word of caution from his classic work “Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cures.”

Comfort For The Unhappy Christian

Lloyd-Jones describes Christian sadness or what he calls “spiritual depression” as a “very common condition.” He notes how frequently Scripture speaks to this issue, observing that ‘large numbers of Christian people…are cast down, their souls are disquieted within them.’”

I find this encouraging because it means you’re not alone for feeling downcast or crestfallen as a follower of Jesus. Think about it: There is book in the Bible called "Lamentations.” The God-man Jesus “wept” (John 11:35) over the death of His friend, Lazarus. The Apostle Paul did not discourage Jesus followers from grieving, but called for a grief marked by qualitative distinction: hopefulness (1 Thessalonians 4:13). You’re in good, grieving company.

Furthermore, experiencing sadness may actually be an indicator you’re not spiritually malfunctioning. In fact, Christians should feel sorrow in response to the brokenness around them. Crises or the hurting around us should cause us to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

Caution For the Unhappy Christian

Lloyd-Jones simultaneously says that the perpetually sad Christian is “a very poor recommendation for the gospel.” He roots his argument in evangelistic pragmatism by contrasting an excited world with a joy-absent Christian and invites us to consider which of the two the world would be more attracted to. He asserts, “People today are not primarily interested in Truth but they are interested in results. The one question they ask is: Does it work?”

I find his rationale to be missionally compelling. While grief and sadness is relatable and authentic wouldn’t vibrant happiness and joy feel distinctly other-worldly in our sadness saturated world?

I harken back to a recent conversation I had with someone who recently came to saving faith. She was compelled to come to church and receive the gospel because of her interactions with hope-filled, joy-pulsating Christians in various settings. Distinctive joy led her to ask, “What is causing their joy and how can I have it in my life?”

Being Tilted Towards Joy

Some have described Christians as walking paradoxes. Jesus followers grieve with hope and hope in light of the grief from a fallen world.

There are various life seasons when circumstances may tilt one end of the seesaw in favor of the other, but we can have the confidence that the seesaw will tilt towards joy at the end of the day.

The Spirit of God in you will bear the fruit of joy in and through you.

If you’re experiencing spiritual depression, talk to God and speak truth into your life. Don’t run from it—but don’t camp there either. Let your sadness draw you to a Savior who wept, yet rose in power.

Ask Him for the joy only He can give. As Psalm 30:5 reminds us, ‘Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.’”