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Dec 12, 2024 18:00pm

What Now?: Depression

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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.

Depression

Do you ever have one of those days, weeks, months or even years of feeling hopeless or alone? Your symptoms could be the fruit of many “root” issues including guilt, shame, the grip of fear or the inability to continue due to a deep, haunting wound. Comfort may seem beyond your grasp and you may even question your purpose or your identity.

I have experienced those kinds of days. I sometimes even act “cold” to the people around me during those times. I would rather stay in my own little world and not interact with anyone. Being nice and joyful seems to take out the last ounce of my energy! When I am discouraged during those times, Matthew 11:28-30 always comes to mind:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We are not a burden to Jesus when we are discouraged or depressed. We are not bothering Jesus when we tell Him our problems, nor does He tire of hearing about them. He invites us to rest in Him and let Him lift our burdens for us. It is much easier to give our “roots” to Him than to deal with them on our own. Our burdens can be a heavy load to carry!

Proverbs 12:25 says,

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

How much does your anxiety weigh? I would say that it weighs as much as you allow.

1 Kings 18-19 relays the account of the prophet named Elijah who struggled with depression. He had 450 prophets of a false god named Baal killed, which made queen Jezebel very angry. She vowed to kill him, so Elijah ran for his life. He was tired, afraid and very discouraged. He thought he had nothing to live for anymore and begged God to take his life. He felt alone and was convinced God had abandoned him.

But God ministered to his depression by giving him rest and food and he continued his journey. The Lord showed him that he wasn’t alone, even though he thought he was. Elijah heard the gentle whisper of the Lord which energized him to move forward with God’s plans. Elijah’s purpose wasn’t complete. The Lord gave him the strength he needed to go on.

Sometimes our lives are like Elijah’s. We experience discouragement and want to give up. But we must remember that our mission is not over. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and the enemy will do anything he can to try and stop it. This can come in the form of discouragement, the accusation of unworthiness, fear, shame, hopelessness—you name it! Seek God and He will meet you where you are, pick you up and give you the strength to continue. Just rest in Him, worship Him through the struggles and He will give you what you need, just like He did for Elijah.

Reflection Questions

1. What anxieties are you currently experiencing?

2. What or whom do you seek when you are discouraged or alone?

3. What does the saying, “When you fall, get back up” or “When you fail, try again” mean to you?