DEPRESSION AND FAITH - “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Depression is something that almost everyone faces, to some degree, at some point in time, depression becomes a jailer that locks you within the bowels of darkness and seems to allow no light into the cell. There are many external factors which contribute to depression: unfulfilled expectations, personal failures of all kinds, circumstances from which there seems to be no escape, loneliness, let-downs, physical weariness, and the oppression which comes from Satan. Then there are internal or biological factors. Sometimes depression is spiritual. The individual who turns his back on God realizes there is no other hope or light, and that’s depressing. Some people work through their own depression. Others need help, and without strong individuals to lean on, they may be swallowed up by the darkness of the soul that vexes their lives. God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Help them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually let them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again. He is the God of the living “his compassions fail not.”

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Depression and Faith

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God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually – we must help them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually let them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again - God is the god of the living - “his compassions fail not”

Dr. Harold J. Sala

Guidelines For Living

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known for more than a century as the prince of preachers, began his remarkable ministry at the age of 18.

Early in his ministry Spurgeon was speaking when a fire broke out in the tabernacle.

Not hearing what the commotion was about, Spurgeon urged the people to remain seated, something that caused the deaths of several people. 

Spurgeon was devastated and the tragedy plunged this young man into deep depression.

He overcame it, but for the rest of his life he battled depression, sometimes so severely that he couldn’t rise from his bed.

Depression is something that almost everyone faces, to some degree, at some point in time, but in most cases the depression is temporary and, in a few days or weeks those dark clouds seem to lift and the sunshine appears.

For others, however, like a dark shadow, depression becomes a jailer that locks you within the bowels of darkness and seems to allow no light into the cell.

There are many external factors which contribute to depression: unfulfilled expectations, personal failures of all kinds, circumstances from which there seems to be no escape, loneliness, let-downs, physical weariness, and the oppression which comes from Satan.

Then there are internal or biological factors — chemical imbalances, temperaments which are dark and moody, and a host of other factors, far too elusive to document and often even to understand.

Sometimes depression is spiritual. Look at Jonah, who ran from God, whose self-pity turned to depression.

The individual who turns his back on God realizes there is no other hope or light, and that’s depressing.

Sometimes trying to pinpoint the cause is futile. If it is there, it’s there no matter what has caused it. The objective is to escape its grasp.

Spurgeon took heart that one of his favorite biblical characters, an individual who was known as “a man after God’s own heart,” King David, struggled with depression.

In one of David’s prayers he cried out, “O Lord... your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me... there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear... I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart” (Psalm 38:3-8).

But David threw himself on the mercy of God and his equilibrium was restored. Again, he cried, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

Some people work through their own depression. Others need help, and without strong individuals to lean on, they may be swallowed up by the darkness of the soul that vexes their lives.

Knowing that it is OK to say, “I need help and need it now!” takes courage, but it’s the first step.

If you see someone who withdraws, who isolates himself or herself, who neglects appearance, who sleeps or turns to drugs or alcohol, who despairs of getting better, you need to be the one who helps that person get help.

God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Personally I have never struggled with depression, and having sat and listened to those who describe its darkness is like listening to sometime tell about a world that I’ve never entered; but helping them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually lets them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again.

He is the God of the living, and as Jeremiah wrote, “his compassions fail not.”

Resource reading: Psalm 43

Speaker, author and Bible teacher, Dr. Harold Sala founded Guidelines in 1963. Pioneering the five-minute commentary in Christian radio, Dr. Sala’s daily "Guidelines for Living" is heard the world over in a variety of languages. Sala, who holds a Ph.D. in biblical text, has authored over 60 books published in19 languages. He speaks and teaches frequently at conferences, seminars, and churches worldwide. Residing in Mission Viejo, California, Harold has been married to Darlene for nearly wonderful 60 years.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/depression-and-faith/

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JOYFUL NOISE - The Lord isn’t kidding about this “shout” thing. In Hebrew, tsahal means “bellow.” He wants us to “rejoice” (AMP) and “celebrate” (CEV) and “raise the roof!” (MSG). Nothing mild and mellow. We’re talking “a loud shout!” (NIrV). Praise isn’t merely for people who are naturally exuberant. He wants all who love Him to “shout joyfully” (AMPC), to happily and willingly “sing praise-songs to God” (MSG). Worship that feels over-the-top to us sounds just right to Him.

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A Season of Joy

Joyful Noise!

When our congregation sang “Joy to the World” last Sunday. I gave it my all, holding nothing back, overflowing with joy.

At the end of the service, the guy sitting in front of me turned around and said, “Maybe you should sing in the choir.”

He wasn’t frowning exactly, but he wasn’t smiling either.

I got the message. Too loud, too happy, and just too much from where he was sitting.

But from God’s point of view? He wants us to go all out when we worship Him, since He “inhabits the praises” (Psalm 22:3) of His people.

Imagine it! When we sing His praises, He sits among us, “enthroned” (ESV) by the very notes and words that fill the air.

“Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:6) 

“Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, …” (Isaiah 12:6)

The Lord isn’t kidding about this “shout” thing.

In Hebrew, tsahal means “bellow.” He wants us to “rejoice” (AMP) and “celebrate” (CEV) and “raise the roof!” (MSG).

Nothing mild and mellow. We’re talking “a loud shout!” (NIrV).

Praise isn’t merely for people who are naturally exuberant.

He wants all who love Him to “shout joyfully” (AMPC), to happily and willingly “sing praise-songs to God” (MSG).

Worship that feels over-the-top to us sounds just right to Him.

Not a singer? Not a problem.

In Hebrew, ranan means “to give a ringing cry.” We can do this.

We can “make a joyful noise” (Psalm 98:4),  knowing He is delighted with our voices, perfectly created for His pleasure.

If you’re thinking, “Hey, I’m not from Israel. I don’t live in Jerusalem. I’m not one of the ‘inhabitants of Zion’” (AMPC), this verse is still for you.

God’s people live everywhere. We can worship Him anywhere.

“… for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:6)

The Lord “is with you in his greatness!” (CJB).

When we feel weak, powerless, and worn down to the ground, that’s when we need to praise Him most.

It’s easy to worship God when things are going well, right?

He wants us to praise Him even more fervently when life is a mess, when singing with joy is the last thing we feel like doing. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

While we’re honoring Him with praise, He is honing us into His kind of people, able to withstand whatever life throws at us, certain our God can and will handle it.

Praise isn’t about feelings. It’s about obedience. It’s about trust. And it’s about Jesus, because He is the One who gives us the strength to shout for joy no matter what. 

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

The enemy loves to get us all wrapped up in our emotions and feelings. But God is worthy of our praise whatever our mood or situation.

Praising Him, singing with joy, shouting in triumph—that’s the surest path to genuine joy and real peace.

In the midst of your worship you’ll realize He is with you “in a powerful way” (ERV), that prayers are being answered, that lives are being changed, that He is doing “great things before your eyes” (EXB).

The miracle of Christmas isn’t simply that God came to earth this very night, two thousand years ago.

It’s that He came for us, bringing joy to the world!

Lord Jesus, we confess we don’t always feel like singing, let alone shouting with joy. Help us remember that worship isn’t optional for God’s people, and that praise isn’t about how we feel. It’s about who You are. Our Wonderful Counselor! Our Prince of Peace! Amen, amen. amen.

Three books you might consider for gift giving:  The Women of Christmas, A Wreath of Snow, and my latest nonfiction, It’s Good to Be Queen.

Your grateful sister, Liz
@LizCurtisHiggs

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/category/a-season-of-joy/