If our affections are the thermometer of our relationship with God, how can we remain stable through all our emotional ups and downs? Building a ministry around joy in God leads to a lot of good and important questions we need to think through. For example, if our ministry centers on joy, then doesn’t this invite an emotional-rollercoaster rhythm to life? It is a really important question today from an anonymous listener who writes in to us. “Pastor John, I struggle with thinking that feelings of peace, love, and joy are the validation and thermometer of my relationship with God. Thus, my relationship is 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 they can be misleading or even false. What would you say to me?” Episode 1213: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/isnt-the-joy-centered-life-just-an-emotional-roller-coaster Related Resources: “Drug Users and Christian Hedonists — Aren’t Both Just Chasing the Next High?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1iplPlR_wE “Is My Joy Essential in Glorifying God?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4z1yQYI0yI “How Much of My Happiness Is Settled By Factors Outside My Immediate Control?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQTV6npvwUQ “What’s the Origin of Desiring God’s Slogan?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE2f9MwstLg Find other recent and popular Ask Pastor John episodes, http://desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john