Do you sometimes struggle with knowing what the purpose of your life is? What your supposed to be doing? Why you feel so depressed? Why you can't be joyful?

I struggle with these things. I often feel like I'm missing the purpose in life and don't feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I battle with depression regularly and am usually trying to figure out why I can't be joyful and happy. I think this will come as a surprise for most of you. I can put on a pretty good front--not that I'm trying to be deceitful but trying desperately to will myself to have joy. The problem is it doesn't matter how hard I try, I can't do it by myself.

You see, before knowing Christ, I always felt like I was missing something. There was a void that I couldn't fill, no matter what I tried. Now that I have Christ in my life--it's different. I have felt complete at times, and I have felt true joy. I still don't have these things all the time, but I sure hope to reach that point. What I have figured out is that the answers to my questions above feel answered when I'm in close relationship with God. Through the last few years, I have had times where I have felt extremely close to God and then there have been times when I have felt very distant from God. Depending on where that relationship is determines how complete I feel. I've discovered that God really is the only way to fill that void that I think all of us have. I want that close relationship with God. I need that close relationship with God. I want my void to be filled. I need my void to be filled.

So, I guess the next question is am I willing to do what it takes to have that relationship with God? Am I willing to take that next step? Joslyn