On My Mind...
Have you ever been so discouraged you just wanted to give up? Ever been so depressed that you just felt like you wanted to die? Ever found yourself in an unbearable situation in which you saw no way out and you just didn’t care anymore? Has life ever dumped on you? Have you ever had your worst nightmare become your reality? When that happens life becomes overwhelming, even for those who are the children of God. Depression and despair have often hounded the saints through the ages. We don’t talk about it because we don’t want someone to think we don’t have the victory. After all, Jesus said that he came that we might have life and have that life in abundance. I can’t admit that I’m lacking in the abundant life department. What would people think?
So, we suffer in silence. Moving ever deeper in our despair, constantly questioning and examining our lives for what we’ve done wrong to bring this on ourselves. But have you ever stopped to consider the possibility that you are not alone? Have you ever considered that maybe what you’re experiencing is “normal”?
Charles Spurgeon, pastor of the great Metropolitan Tabernacle in London during the 19th century suffered from frequent bouts of depression. Martin Luther the great Reformer was said to have been on the verge of insanity on numerous occasions. Life can be overwhelming. Life is often more than any of us can handle but there is hope for the weary. There is light at the end of the tunnel and no, it’s not a train! David was known as, “A man after God’s own heart.” A mighty man of God, a warrior, a king, a poet and yet he struggled with depression. Psalm 13 is a psalm in which David struggles with the trials and tribulations of life and struggles to “hang on.” The psalm begins with David feeling abandoned by God (13:1-2). David did not seek to hide his feelings. Instead, he gives a rather intense statement of his feelings, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” But note the change in verse 5, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” David went from wallowing in the depths of despair to singing a song of praise. He moved from despair to hope. How? What enable such a change? He poured his heart out to God in prayer (13:3-4). Think about it, the very fact that you feel abandoned is evidence that you know He is there!
Life is often hard. Circumstances easily overwhelm. Such is life in this fallen, sin-cursed world. That you feel abandon is not proof that you are abandon. His promise is that He will never leave you for forsake you. Cry out to Him. Trust Him. Believe in Him. Talk to Him. That’s what is on my mind this morning.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
So, we suffer in silence. Moving ever deeper in our despair, constantly questioning and examining our lives for what we’ve done wrong to bring this on ourselves. But have you ever stopped to consider the possibility that you are not alone? Have you ever considered that maybe what you’re experiencing is “normal”?
Charles Spurgeon, pastor of the great Metropolitan Tabernacle in London during the 19th century suffered from frequent bouts of depression. Martin Luther the great Reformer was said to have been on the verge of insanity on numerous occasions. Life can be overwhelming. Life is often more than any of us can handle but there is hope for the weary. There is light at the end of the tunnel and no, it’s not a train! David was known as, “A man after God’s own heart.” A mighty man of God, a warrior, a king, a poet and yet he struggled with depression. Psalm 13 is a psalm in which David struggles with the trials and tribulations of life and struggles to “hang on.” The psalm begins with David feeling abandoned by God (13:1-2). David did not seek to hide his feelings. Instead, he gives a rather intense statement of his feelings, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” But note the change in verse 5, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” David went from wallowing in the depths of despair to singing a song of praise. He moved from despair to hope. How? What enable such a change? He poured his heart out to God in prayer (13:3-4). Think about it, the very fact that you feel abandoned is evidence that you know He is there!
Life is often hard. Circumstances easily overwhelm. Such is life in this fallen, sin-cursed world. That you feel abandon is not proof that you are abandon. His promise is that He will never leave you for forsake you. Cry out to Him. Trust Him. Believe in Him. Talk to Him. That’s what is on my mind this morning.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod