My first assignment as I mounted the pulpit on Sunday, March 21, 2021 was to lead the congregation to pray against depression. My inspiration came from a suicidal post of a young lady. Hers was the third one within a week of persons battling depression. We live in the last days, and things are getting tougher. Shattered dreams, relationships going south, among others, are taking heavy tolls on people, including believers. The damaging effect of depression is one reason we must take the word of Paul seriously. He laid double emphasis on the need for rejoicing.
“These “helpers of your joy” are the people we may call merchants of joy; and their efforts must be highly priced…They help us to see the big picture and the hope that lies ahead.”
This brings us to an important question. What should believers do when it is difficult to rejoice as the Bible commands? That is when the services of other brethren may be needed. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand” (2 Corinthians 1:24). These “helpers of your joy” are the people we may call merchants of joy; and their efforts must be highly priced. They could be gospel Ministers who have oversight over us; or it could be people with whom we share affinity in the house of God. They help us to see the big picture and the hope that lies ahead. Barnabas was an expert in this. (Acts 11:22-23). No child of God should allow themselves to be trapped to a corner and pummeled unnecessarily by the devil. Help is in the house of God; and we have been mandated to bear one another’s burden.