Matthew 5:3 “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV)
I’ve suffered from depression for as long as I can
remember. Sometimes it gets so bad that I have to take medicine; at other
times, I manage to get through on my own willpower and strength. It’s not
something that you can predict will happen and because there is still such a
stigma attached to it, you don’t want to broadcast it or burden others with
your woes. You just have to get through each day and hope that the gloom will
lift eventually. I find that the winter months can be the most grueling, which
may have something to do with the shortened days and longer nights.
When I think about depression, I have my own ideas.
Firstly, I think that everybody goes through some form of depression in their
lives. Secondly, and I know it will sound crazy, I wonder if we’re supposed to
hibernate as mammals and slow down during winter. All our current busy-ness and
hyperactivity seems to go against the natural order of things. Even Jesus took
time off during the winter months from His ministry to either be at home with
His family or with friends.
In my bleakest moments – and believe me, there are some
real dingers – I turn to the scriptures for help and comfort. Usually, a verse
from the Psalms pinpoints what I’m experiencing, but overall, today’s
highlighted verse from the lips of Jesus keeps me focused on getting better and
holding on to my faith. I guess this verse appeals to me because depression personally
feels like a time of spiritual poverty and emptiness in my soul that only God’s
presence and compassion can fill.
Perhaps you weren’t expecting this kind of confession
from me, after all, I’m a pastor so I should be so full of the Spirit that
depression should not be able to touch or affect me. But like many great
characters in the Bible, I’m only human, so of course I can succumb to
depression – just like Abraham, Jacob, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Naomi, Saul,
David, Jonah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Mary, Peter, Thomas, Paul, John Mark…the list
goes on.
Whatever you are going through today, please know this:
you belong to God and His Kingdom, which means that you are loved eternally and
embraced completely.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all
need to be reassured and loved. When depression overwhelms us, keep us safe in
Your arms. When spiritual poverty besets us, enrich us with Your compassion and
love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give feedback about today’s
message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.
Today’s image is one of
John’s drawings of the Cross. It’s called “Celtic Sunrise.” If you would like
to view a larger version, please click this link: Cross.
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