Part 1

 

Sometimes we think Christians aren't supposed to get depressed.  Or that if we do, all that's needed for healing is to sing the right worship song, pray the right prayer, or lay hold of the biblical promise.  

 

But did you know that right in the middle of your Bible is an ancient song about three thousand years old that was written by a guy struggling with serious depression?  

 

Psalm 42 is about a man who genuinely loved God and yet battled depression.  It's raw, gritty, sometimes dark, and not easily resolved.  That's the real feel of depression, that numb, gnawing feeling.  Then this song in the middle of God's word is for you.   The psalmist himself remains depressed at the end of the song.  But it tells what God's up to on your behalf when you are facing those dark days and long nights. 

 

Like a king issuing an order, God has commanded that all his love, compassion, mercy and comfort meet you right where you are for however long you're there.  It's God's "to-do" list for loving you through your depression.

 

Here are three practical ways that happens"

 

1.  God directs his love through his people.  A Christian woman battling depression cried out to God, "Where are you?  Why don't you show me your love?" A few days later her friends showed up unexpectedly at her house with dinner.  It wasn't until they left that the woman realized God had answered her prayer.  The impromptu get-together didn't heal her depression, but she realized in that moment that God was present and actively loving her through her friends.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Part 2 next week: