Psalm 69:1
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
Ever feel this way? I know that I have. I also have emails from inspirational writers and speakers that talk about their times in “the pit.” I have friends right now that are sliding into this pit, or just slowly working their way out, and it takes time.
From Girlfriends in God, January 21, 2009, this was written:
“In the pit, it is so dark that we cannot see. All we can do is wait, trust and rest. In the midst of my depression, I began to discover that darkness is a great place of solitude. Distractions are few. when the Light comes, it is easier to see and the silence makes His voice clear and strong.” (this was part 1 of a 3 part series, and absolutely healing. I kept it and made it part of my depression journal, to help me work my way out of the pit.)
I so understood this! That pit is dark, the sides so slippery to try and climb out of ourselves. And life keeps driving us even when we are sliding down into the pit and can’t get out.
I am still reading “Joy in Jesus”, spending time reading this, portioning it out to get the most out of it and this was the chapter and verse this time, clinical depression, and how it is viewed in the world. David Marshall opened the chapter with what one poor woman had been asked when she went in for help: “Have you confessed your sin of depression yet?” Like she had done something wrong and was being punished in this manner!?! And this was from someone in authority in a church.
There are many advertisements on television now that speak to depression, maybe you have seen and heard this one:
- Where does depression hurt? Everywhere
- Who does depression hurt? Everyone
David states and quotes: Recent studies of more than 11,000 cases have verified that depression is more physically and socially disabling than arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, chronic back problems, hypertension and gastrointestinal illness.” (This is from a JAMA article on depression)
It can be such a chore to eat, to get out of bed, and getting dressed? You have got to be kidding. There were many days that I would make it into work, and then sit here with tears running down my face, and if anyone had asked me why (and no one did!), I couldn’t have told you why. It just was.
David then asked another question in this section called “Low Tide and Darkness”: If instead f clinical depression I had said bowel cancer or brain tumour, [she] would have had your instant empathy. But how do you feel about clinical depression?”
Where is it written that just because you believe, that you are a “happy camper”, that all is right with the world if only you believe?!? It isn’t. And in this kind of situation, choosing joy really isn’t an option. Most days, you get up and can tell yourself that you are going to have a good day, and you will. But in the pit, there is no saying today will be good. It is just a day, yet another day.
He tells us of some of the greatest minds in history that have suffered from depression: Martin luther, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, J. B. Phillips, Paul, Elijah, and Jesus.
Yes, JESUS. At Calvary, when he cried out: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? This cry by Jesus is teaching us what we need to do in this – cry out! Third Day sang about it:
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
Chorus
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith and love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
Chorus
When your lonely (when you're lonely)
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight
Chorus
There is nothing wrong with any one of us that has been in that pit, and because we have spent time there, we can offer helping hands to those that are there, but we must remember to tell them, they can’t get out on their own, they will need help, and the best help is to Cry out to HIM!
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