Does the Christian have obligation to live happily

[Porpoise]

No, I am talking about all depression.
Nobody was living a happy and normal life and then all of a sudden they were clinically depressed.
Something happened to make them depressed and they were unable to get past it. Then that depression became a mountain that overwhelmed them.
Chemicals can be released into the brain from bitterness and ingratitude.

A quote from "Psychologytoday"
The wide variety of effects that gratitude can have may seem surprising, but a direct look at the brain activity during gratitude yields some insight. The final study I’m going to share come from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH researchers examined blood flow in various brain regions while subjects summoned up feelings of gratitude (Zahn et al,2009). They found that subjects who showed more gratitude overall had higher levels of activity in the hypothalamus. This is important because the hypothalamus controls a huge array of essential bodily functions, including eating, drinking and sleeping. It also has a huge influence on your metabolism and stress levels. From this evidence on brain activity it starts to become clear how improvements in gratitude could have such wide-ranging effects from increased exercise, and improved sleep to decreased depression and fewer aches and pains.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain

There are a number of people with clinical depression who practice gratitude daily, myself included, and probably others on this forum as well, and while it helps us spiritually and emotionally, it doesn't make the depression go away. I hope you won't assume people suffering from depression are necessarily bitter or ungrateful.

Not everyone had a traumatic or stressful event when their depression started, for some it actually starts out of the blue, when everything in their life is going well. That's actually quite common with depression. Depression that seems to come out of nowhere is called endogenous depression, and is considered to have chemical or genetic causes.

What you described, where an event triggered the depression and it became a mountain, is a common form of depression. Some people are helped significantly by psychological interventions that help them change their beliefs, thoughts, and activities in ways that create an upward spiral of positive experiences, bringing them out of the depression.

But while the psychological helps for some, many others are helped by physical or medical treatments. Many health conditions are known to cause depression, including vitamin deficiencies, food allergies, celiac disease, thyroid conditions, lyme disease, addison's disease, multiple slcerosis, lupus, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic conditions, and lots of others. Researchers are actually still discovering physical causes of depression and developing new treatments for those who don't respond to antidepressant or psychotherapy treatments.

 

[Doug Melven]

There are a number of people with clinical depression who practice gratitude daily, myself included, and probably others on this forum as well, and while it helps us spiritually and emotionally, it doesn't make the depression go away. I hope you won't assume people suffering from depression are necessarily bitter or ungrateful.

Not everyone had a traumatic or stressful event when their depression started, for some it actually starts out of the blue, when everything in their life is going well. That's actually quite common with depression. Depression that seems to come out of nowhere is called endogenous depression, and is considered to have chemical or genetic causes.

What you described, where an event triggered the depression and it became a mountain, is a common form of depression. Some people are helped significantly by psychological interventions that help them change their beliefs, thoughts, and activities in ways that create an upward spiral of positive experiences, bringing them out of the depression.

But while the psychological helps for some, many others are helped by physical or medical treatments. Many health conditions are known to cause depression, including vitamin deficiencies, food allergies, celiac disease, thyroid conditions, lyme disease, addison's disease, multiple slcerosis, lupus, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic conditions, and lots of others. Researchers are actually still discovering physical causes of depression and developing new treatments for those who don't respond to antidepressant or psychotherapy treatments.

People who suffer from depression didn't always suffer from depression.
Something happened that they were unable to get past.
The bitterness or ingratitude need not extend to every part of someone's life.
You can have joy in one part and depression in another part.
Or gratitude about somethings and ingratitude about others.
The OP was saying that for some even knowing they are forgiven of all sins is not enough to cheer them up.
To this I say that person doesn't understand what Jesus Christ did for them. I know that sounds harsh, but I don't know how else to say it.
When we see where we came from, and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, and that we now have the Holy Spirit living inside of us this should be making us jump for joy.
David put it this way in Psalms 40.
I waited patiently for the LORD and He heard my cry.
He dragged me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.
He set my feet upon a Rock.
He established my steps.
He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.

The Word of God is powerful, it can transform us way better than any doctor's prescription can.
Meditate on His Word as often as possible.
Put Scriptures throughout your house so no matter where you go you will see them.
Scriptures like Zephaniah 3:17 and 1 Peter 5:7 and Ephesians 3:19-20.
Verses that tell how much Jesus Christ loves you. Think on it all the time and see that depression disappear.

 

[Bobber]

I know that we Christians should rejoice in the Lord according to Philippians 4: 4, but lately this is only a rule, I can't have this rejoicing mentioned of Philippians 4, I have many problems with depression, I am a melancholic guy, most of the people I live with always say the same thing - "A Christian can not be sad or depressed," some have even said that such feelings are caused by an "evil spirit" which I find extremely absurd, absurd because know that depression is a psychopathological factor. Many times I wish to die because of this burden.

Does a Christian have a responsibility to be happy. Interesting question. Can't really recall anyone in all my years of being a Christian ask the question this way. I'd say ultimately God would like to see us this way. The whole thing is about development though....and that can take a life time. Development is something we cooperate with God on. Yeah I know we hear the items how much does one pray....feed their spirits with God's word......seek to do his will....BUT these do determine many things. Most certainly we're not to discourage someone while their down.

We're to seek to be solutions to a problem not add on to it. My heart does go out to many dear ones however that might feel this way....looking for the light at the end of a tunnel....and never seeming to find it. For a number of years the first few years being a Christian I had a tough time of it. Read every book imaginable. Back in the 70's & 80's it seemed there was always some new theme focused upon. At times I despaired as to ever I'd have victory that we see promised in the word.

It did start to come to me though as I learned about who and what I was In Christ Jesus and began declaring night and day regardless of whether my mental mind was accepting it or not.....the declaring of who we are In Christ with thanksgiving and feeding my spirit with the New Testament the word itself imparts strength and life is what I found.

I say I truly do have joy now and knowing that as I draw near to God HE DOES draw near to me. I know no pet answer can be given one but be encouraged to know God is there. And he cares. I pray for your strengthening my brother and your encouragement. I experienced light at the end of my tunnels and I'm praying, hoping that you will experience the same. Still do experience my test and trials and difficulties.....but I feel that now I'm spiritually and mentally better able to deal with them with God has my helper.

 

[Porpoise]

People who suffer from depression didn't always suffer from depression.
Something happened that they were unable to get past.
The bitterness or ingratitude need not extend to every part of someone's life.
You can have joy in one part and depression in another part.
Or gratitude about somethings and ingratitude about others.
The OP was saying that for some even knowing they are forgiven of all sins is not enough to cheer them up.
To this I say that person doesn't understand what Jesus Christ did for them. I know that sounds harsh, but I don't know how else to say it.
When we see where we came from, and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, and that we now have the Holy Spirit living inside of us this should be making us jump for joy.
David put it this way in Psalms 40.
I waited patiently for the LORD and He heard my cry.
He dragged me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.
He set my feet upon a Rock.
He established my steps.
He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.

The Word of God is powerful, it can transform us way better than any doctor's prescription can.
Meditate on His Word as often as possible.
Put Scriptures throughout your house so no matter where you go you will see them.
Scriptures like Zephaniah 3:17 and 1 Peter 5:7 and Ephesians 3:19-20.
Verses that tell how much Jesus Christ loves you. Think on it all the time and see that depression disappear.

I know this is going to sound odd, but I don't think joy cures clinical depression. I do have joy in God. Even when I don't feel it it's there, I always have hope because of him. Sometimes I feel very joyful and happy when I think about God. It lifts my mood. But my physical symptoms of depression don't improve. Sometimes I experience joy in the lowest parts of my depression, when my symptoms are at their worst. When I'm beyond exhausted, slowed down physically and mentally, and can't enjoy simple things like watching a movie. And I'll be filled with joy, even while my symptoms are like this and the symptoms remain. I don't know if God will cure my depression or not, but he'll certainly be with me as I'm in it.

 

[Tempura]

I know this is going to sound odd, but I don't think joy cures clinical depression. I do have joy in God. Even when I don't feel it it's there, I always have hope because of him. Sometimes I feel very joyful and happy when I think about God. It lifts my mood. But my physical symptoms of depression don't improve. Sometimes I experience joy in the lowest parts of my depression, when my symptoms are at their worst. When I'm beyond exhausted, slowed down physically and mentally, and can't enjoy simple things like watching a movie. And I'll be filled with joy, even while my symptoms are like this and the symptoms remain. I don't know if God will cure my depression or not, but he'll certainly be with me as I'm in it.

Well said. This is how I am. Your point about hope and joy in God is important. It's not about running after a fleeting feeling, it's not reactionary or superficial joy. It's a foundation, and on that foundation we can endure suffering, illness and whatever darkness so much more better.

 

[Doug Melven]

I know this is going to sound odd, but I don't think joy cures clinical depression

It does not sound odd at all. Joy doesn't cure depression.
In the Presence of the LORD is fulness of joy. Psalms 16:10

But Jesus Christ can. The more time you spend in His Presence, meditating on His Word the less your depression will be around. Depression can't stay in His Presence.