Depression is a debilitating emotional response to anxiety, stress, hopelessness, grief, overwhelming issues, rejection, etc. This deep pit of desperation, which swallows us whole and keeps us captive to the circumstances that triggered this negative emotion, may imprison us in several negative emotions at one time.
We find no joy in life because this issue is haunting our soul - our thoughts, feelings, and choices - from deep within us. We use every means humanly possible – from drugs to relationships – to free our self from depression’s grip but without success.
There is, however, one sure way to shake off the shackles of despair. If we commit everything to our Father God, trust in Him alone, and watch for the miracle that He plants in every situation we face, we will find a deep sense of joy that does not depend on happiness or circumstances (Psalm 37:5).
God renews our strength, gives us His hope for our future, guides us along His path for our life, and brings honor to His name as others see us successfully traverse the adverse issues that we face (Psalm 23:3; Ephesians 2:10). As our good Shepherd, He leads us to green pastures, beside still waters, and through the shadow of death (Psalm 23).
Rather than focusing on our current troubles, we focus our attention on the things we cannot see at the moment. The issues in our life will soon pass, and we will enter new experiences, but those qualities of life that are not evident to the human eye or understanding will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18).
God’s grace is more than adequate to sustain us through any hardship, and His power is showcased through our human weaknesses. We can actually feel affirmed in our limitations, because God’s power is enhanced as He works through us. No eye has seen or ear heard what God has in store for His adopted children who love Him and trust in Him alone (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 2:9).
Prayer:
Father God, You hear us when we call out to You for help. You rescue us through all our troubles. You are always close to us and in us, especially when we are downtrodden, crushed in spirit, or heartbroken (Psalm 34:17-18). As we trust in You, we find new strength to face the issues in our life, and we soon untangle our self from the confines of depression and soar high as if on an eagle’s wings. We run through life without getting weary, and we walk on Your chosen path for us and never feel faint (Isaiah 40:31).
Remind us that we have nothing to fear or to feel discouraged about because You are always with us as our Almighty God. You strengthen us and help us all the time. You hold us in Your victorious right hand (Isaiah 4110). If You are for us, nothing can ever conquer us (Romans 8:31). Teach us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and to come to You especially when we are exhausted or are carrying a heavy burden, so we can find Your rest (Matthew 11:28).
Thoughts for the Day:
There are only three concepts that will last forever: faith in God’s faithfulness, hope in His perfect plans for our life, and His multidimensional and unconditional love (Ephesians 2:10, 3:18-21; Romans 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 13:13). In His love for His adopted children, God never gives up on us, never withdraws His care from us, sees us in Christ’s righteousness rather than in our humanity, and helps us to endure all things that we experience in life (1 Corinthians 13:7)
