Why Am I So Depressed?

“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” ~Psalms 42:11 HCSB

David knew what it felt like to be alone and isolated. He was chased around the desert several times, by kings and enemies.  He knew what it was like to hear their taunts.  But every time David was on the run he was rescued, God protected him.  David understood where to turn to when the things around him seems so out of place. He recognized depression and stress and refocused on the hope we have in God. 

 

Through the years I have been through many stressful times. I have survived family issues, health, two Gulf wars, church life and a host of other enemies both small and large.  In those moments it is easy to lose focus on what is important and you have to pull back and look at the bigger picture.  The bigger picture is the glory of God and to see Him glorified in all things.  When we lose sight of this picture and focus on ourselves and our problems our relationships suffer.  Through the years I have used the illustration of a cross to describe our relationships.  The most important relationship is the vertical one, the one with Christ.  If our relationship with Christ is solid then all the horizontal relationships will also be strong.  

If our relationship with others is suffering we have to pull back and look at our relationship with God.  We have to seek out any sin and ask for forgiveness. We need to focus on the glory of God the source of our hope and our salvation.  But the greatest help will come from other brothers and sisters in Christ, who pray and care for you.  Having a church family around you who know you and encourage you is the greatest help in times of stress.  It is also the one relationship the enemy will try to keep from you.  So stay connected, stay focused on Christ.  Understand yourself and your own weaknesses.  Enlist a good brother or sister to check on you and encourage you.  This week I found myself stressed out and isolating myself.  Two things helped me realize I was off track, another pastor friend straight out asked me because he knows me.  Secondly, a brother in Christ listened to God and sent me an encouraging verse via text, the one above.     

Lord thank you Lord for you never ending love and mercy.  Lord thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank you for speaking to me through them.  Lord help us to focus on You and Your glory.  May we glorify You in all things. Amen