The Bible reveals to us that depression is something even great followers of God experienced. Although the writer of Psalm 42 is not named, some believe it was written by King David. If so, he probably wrote it during the period of Absalom’s rebellion — a difficult period when he endured the oppression of his enemies and rumors that God had forsaken him and that there was no deliverance for him in God. This psalm depicts the struggles that many people experience in the midst of adversity — vacillating between doubt and faith, despair and hope, pessimism and optimism, looking at circumstances and looking to God. 42:5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. The psalmist asked himself, “Why are you in despair, O my soul?” To be “in despair” means to be cast down, to be depressed, or to sink under the weight of sorrow. He also asked “And why have you become disturbed within me?” which suggests an agitated and troubled mind. The psalmist commanded himself to “hope in God,” a reminder that God would intervene and deliver him from his crisis. He reassured himself that he would indeed praise God again in days to come for his deliverance. In this moving dialogue with himself, the psalmist determined to put his trust in God rather than to allow his circumstances to plunge him into depression. There are many times when a person is unable to get through their depression and they need help from someone else (parent, friend, pastor, counselor, doctor, etc.). The Bible clearly tells us in Ecclesiastes that 2 are better than 1 so reaching out is not a sign of weakness but wisdom. There are also warning signs that all of us can educate ourselves on regarding depression and suicide. Another step to take is to put the National Suicide Hotline in your cell phone 1-800-273-8255. This could be a life saving number of you or for someone you know.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:10:34 +0000
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