BATTLING DEPRESSION

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Psalm 42:5

Depression in its mildest form might be an overwhelming feeling of "blah", but left unchecked it can become a debilitating disease that affects every area of your life.  Many times we can specifically identify what is making us feel down.  Grief that every human at one time or another experiences force us to face a season of suffering.  However, there are times when nothing is out of place in our lives and yet we just feel sad.  I am not a doctor and to my knowledge there is no magic pill that heals all hurts, but over the next couple of days I wanted to share what has worked for me.  

Even if you don't read the bible on a regular basis I promise the Psalms will be a comfort to anyone feeling discouraged.  The words come across like a dynamic pep talk as the psalmist laments over his current condition and then looks to God for healing.  Just like the verse above, I have found myself saying..."Jamie, get it together...what are you so down about?"  The writer makes a decision when he declares...Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.   I love the fact that even though he makes the decision to rely on his faith, his courage falters, and he has to repeat this very sentiment over again to his soul.  Sometimes we have to discipline ourselves and not allow our mind to roam freely and travel to dark places. 

If you haven't guessed by now, my faith is the most effective defense against life's woes.  There was a moment when I realized that I was out of options and answers.  In fact I did not even know what the questions were anymore.  Everything was backward and upside down in my world and so I began to read the bible and pray asking God to reveal himself to me.  I wish I could tell you that all of my troubles vanished, but perhaps the more powerful statement is that I found joy and peace in the midst of the storm. 

Do you feel like the lights have gone out of your very soul?  Maybe you are like a balloon that is slowly losing air and pretty soon you will be completely deflated.  The Psalmist could relate when he spoke...I say to God my Rock, Why have you forgotten me?...My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

And yet, I hear a whisper bubbling up deep from within me.  Where is your hope, Jamie?  I know the answer...do you?