You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
How strange that I can write on this blog that, hopefully, someone other than me is reading but it's extremely difficult to voice these thoughts and feelings to the people I love the most.
Jesus woke me early this morning and I had a thought I just had to get up and share regarding depression. That was a few minutes ago. Now I've forgotten it. I haven't forgotten this one thing, though. That even if I make my bed in hell, sweet Lord God, You are there. (Psalm 139:8).
Holding a thought is almost as difficult as holding sand in a spaghetti strainer. It's gives me the tateds (agitated, irritated, and frustrated). However, each moment brings me one breath closer to You, sweet Lord, regardless of the tateds. Your love infinitely holds all that I am even thoughts that flee like the wind.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Living in Darkness
"...The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 NIV
Most of us from time to time have felt a little "blue," or, "down in the dumps." We know this feeling is temporary and will go away in its own good time as we continue the routine of daily life.
For some people, however, this is not simply a feeling that goes away. It's an overwhelming sense of darkness shadowing every aspect of life. The darkness has a name---clinical depression.
A shameful thing, clinical depression not only is darkness but its very existence has to be kept hidden in the shadows. Depression is something folks whisper about behind their hand. It's odd to me, but I have never heard one prayer request for someone with a debilitating mental illness or sickness of the soul. But a severe physical illness will get you front page on the prayer request bulletin.
Clinical depression can kill as quickly as cancer and with far less compassion. Yet, there IS good news. Jesus came to shine the light of His love in every nook and cranny. Even the shadows of depression cannot resist the the dawning light of the Savior.
And even though we will experience all manner of sickness, trouble, and heartache this side of heaven, sufferers of clinical depression "wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 NIV). His light dispels all darkness, including the shadows of clinical depression.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Most of us from time to time have felt a little "blue," or, "down in the dumps." We know this feeling is temporary and will go away in its own good time as we continue the routine of daily life.
For some people, however, this is not simply a feeling that goes away. It's an overwhelming sense of darkness shadowing every aspect of life. The darkness has a name---clinical depression.
A shameful thing, clinical depression not only is darkness but its very existence has to be kept hidden in the shadows. Depression is something folks whisper about behind their hand. It's odd to me, but I have never heard one prayer request for someone with a debilitating mental illness or sickness of the soul. But a severe physical illness will get you front page on the prayer request bulletin.
Clinical depression can kill as quickly as cancer and with far less compassion. Yet, there IS good news. Jesus came to shine the light of His love in every nook and cranny. Even the shadows of depression cannot resist the the dawning light of the Savior.
And even though we will experience all manner of sickness, trouble, and heartache this side of heaven, sufferers of clinical depression "wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 NIV). His light dispels all darkness, including the shadows of clinical depression.
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