Well, building a ministry around joy in God leads to a lot of good and important questions

that we need to think through.

Specifically today, if our ministry centers on joy, then doesn't this invite sort of

an emotional rollercoaster type of rhythm into our lives?

It's a really important question today from an anonymous listener who writes in to ask

this.

Pastor John, I struggle with thinking that feelings, feelings of peace, love, and joy

are the validation and the thermometer of my relationship with God.

Thus, my relationship often feels like a rollercoaster.

I often feel discouraged and anxious when my heart isn't moved with emotion during

my time with God.

On the other hand, I am cautious to seek purely emotional highs because I know that

it can be misleading or even false.

Pastor John, what would you say to me?

This question really matters to me because I'm a Christian hedonist.

I tell people that the affections of the heart matter just as much even more than the

thoughts of the mind.

I make the case over and over again that Christian faith, saving faith is not merely intellectual

ascent to doctrines, but the heart and brace of the truth of the person who makes the truth.

I tell people to devote their lives to pursuing satisfaction in God because God is most glorified

in them when they are most satisfied in Him.

I utterly reject the notion that faith can be neatly separated from feelings like a

...