Overcoming Depression by Honestly Facing the Pain in Your Soul.
OPENING PRAYER:
Overcoming depression by honestly facing the pain in your soul.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
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.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon – from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock, “Why have your forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why, my soul, are your downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42 (NIV)
REFLECT:
As we wait these days for some good news, and perhaps a return to a former “normal” lifestyle, we can surely appreciate the pain and longing we hear experienced in this Psalm. The writer remembers former days of heartfelt worship in the temple services and the joy of those he worshipped with. Yet, the writer is also encumbered with a heavy cloud of grief and despair, as he is also surrounded by painful oppressors and taunting foes. His external circumstances are oppressing, as his internal condition is depressed and full of turmoil. Throughout the song, the writer struggles through his pain to become joyfully engaged in hope, peace, and praise once again.
APPLY:
This past summer has been a painful one for my family. We experienced a sudden tragic loss like no other in its depth of pain, unbelief, anger, reluctance of acceptance, depression, grief, and the ability to move on with life - let alone accept joy in our “new normal” life. Like the psalmist progressed in Psalm 42, first I asked, “Why?” It’s a legitimate question, but I needed to let that question go. A time would come later to discern that God had not abandoned me.
Second, I needed to affirm God’s love and his sovereignty over all things. I remembered times past when God was with me, and faithfully led me through difficult circumstances.
Third, I also found myself preaching to my own soul, reminding myself that I have the hope of the cross through Jesus Christ and the promise of heaven as I fell into the arms of Jesus - the arms of those surrounding me with prayer and acts of kindness.
Lastly, the psalmist sang. The last thing I wanted to do, through this time of pain, was sing praise in worship. Yet, I have always felt nearest to heaven when I sing. The Lord knew what I needed. Slowly, up through the ashes, hope arrived through a song. These past few months this song has played over and over throughout my thoughts and prayers as I attempt to “Raise a Hallelujah.”
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah; Heaven comes to fight for me
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
Along with the psalmist, I was able to sing again in worship. Both songs pose worldly problems but refrain in a celebration of the reason for our hope – hope in Jesus, our Savior and King.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, I pray that whatever my pain, whatever my circumstance, I will remain mindful of your provision throughout my life that has been proven over and over. Thank you for the hope of heaven and the absence of pain there. Hallelujah, amen.
CONTINUED READING:
1 Kings 19:1-10
WORSHIP: