>I am currently considering what “true joy” means. Many of us have periods in our life where we struggle. Sometimes it is a constant companion, like depression or sickness. I suffer from depression, and there are days when the very thought of getting out of bed can overwhelm. I am struggling.
For Christians this can seem like a contradiction to the life of faith. How can I be Christian and depressed? What about all those passages about being content with what I have, with the call to belief, to be thankful in all circumstance? I do not claim to have the answers – I am on a journey, but I have been drawn to consider people of “faith”, people who have achieved major things in their life, despite their own frail circumstances. I do not fully understand, but they are an inspiration for me to continue to struggle through life.

Take for instance Martin Luther (not king), a monk who struggled at first to understand the character of God, and later became a key figure in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. A man who worked towards having the Bible translated into the language of the Bible – of his German countrymen. We can consider him a “man of faith”, a hero. Yet, it is known that he suffered often from sickness and deep bouts of depression throughout his life.

American hymn writer Fanny Crosby was born on this day in 1820. She became blind as a young child, was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Despite her disability she went on to compose nearly 8,000 hymns throughout her life, many are still sung to this day. She faced poverty and at one stage eviction. She went to the Lord in prayer, a few minutes later, an unknown man gave her a $10 bill, the exact amount she needed. Later that night she wrote, “All the way my saviour leads me” – a hymn of trust that God will provide for all our needs. She was once asked if she was upset she would never see, asked why? She replied “when i get to heaven the first face that should ever gladden my sight would be that of my saviour!”
Here is a video overview of her life from Mars Hill Church:

Hattip: Between Two Worlds

1. All the way my Savior leads me, 
What have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His tender mercy, 
Who through life has been my Guide? 
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, 
Here by faith in Him to dwell! 
For I know, whate’er befall me, 
Jesus doeth all things well; 
For I know, whate’er befall me, 
Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Savior leads me, 
Cheers each winding path I tread, 
Gives me grace for every trial, 
Feeds me with the living Bread. 
Though my weary steps may falter 
And my soul athirst may be, 
Gushing from the Rock before me, 
Lo! A spring of joy I see; 
Gushing from the Rock before me, 
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
3. All the way my Savior leads me, 
Oh, the fullness of His love! 
Perfect rest to me is promised 
In my Father’s house above. 
When my spirit, clothed immortal, 
Wings its flight to realms of day 
This my song through endless ages: 
Jesus led me all the way; 
This my song through endless ages: 
Jesus led me all the way. 

Frances J. Crosby published 1875

Related posts:

1. The Rebel's Guide to Joy – William Cowper
2. The Rebel's guide to joy – Charles Wesley