Invincible Joy

whybecka
7 days ago
4 min read

Original meeting date - January 9th, 2026

Joy is a difficult concept for me. It’s listed as one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and it appears around 200 times in the bible (differs based on translation). Unlike happiness, joy is a feeling that transcends your current mood. You can be sad, upset, full and grief, and yet still experience joy. Does anyone have any personal examples of feeling joy during sadness?

But how does joy translate to clinical depression? Is it possible to feel joy when there is only a profound emptiness where emotions are supposed to be?

One of my favourite songs is “Joy Invincible” by a christian band called Switchfoot

Here are excerpts of my favourite parts:

If only life didn't need us to be this brave

But we don't live in the world of if only's

Stretched tight in between our birth and our graves

Hallelujah, nevertheless

Was the song the pain couldn't destroy

Hallelujah, nevertheless

You're my joy invincible

Joy invincible, joy

Hold to what's real

Everything heals

We are the children of the promise

This song shares many similarities with the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul":

When peace like a river, attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come

Let this blest assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well, it is well, with my soul

Both these songs speak of praising God and experiencing joy even in the suffering.

Does anyone have any comments on either of the songs?

The bible also has many instances of joy in the Lord during suffering:

Lamentations 3:1, 17, 19-24, 26:

“I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; against > me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long… my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is… The thought > of my affliction and homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’… It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord…”

Romans 5:3-5:

“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

Does anyone have any verse to add?

All these songs and verses describe the kind of Joy that I desire more than anything. It’s happiness and peace, and faith all wrapped up together. I think the secret that Paul speaks of in Phillippians 4:11-12 is joy brought by the Holy Spirit:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I don’t really know if I’ve felt joy during my lowest depressive episodes. But I know that through the Holy Spirit everything is possible. Even joy.

I’m going to take a moment here to pray for joy for all of us and then we will sing our worship song together.

What A Beautiful Name

You were the Word at the beginning

One with God the Lord Most High

Your hidden glory in creation

Now revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful name it is

The name of Jesus Christ my King

What a beautiful name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a beautiful name it is

The name of Jesus

You didn't want heaven without us

So Jesus, You brought heaven down

My sin was great, Your love was greater

What could separate us now

What a wonderful name it is

The name of Jesus Christ my King

What a wonderful name it is

Nothing compares to this

What a wonderful name it is

The name of Jesus

Death could not hold You

The veil tore before You

You silenced the boast, of sin and grave

The heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory

For You are raised to life again

You have no rival

You have no equal

Now and forever, God You reign

Yours is the Kingdom

Yours is the Glory

Yours is the name, above all names