Depression. Anxiety. Envy. Affliction. Hopelessness.

 Depression. Anxiety. Envy. Affliction. Hopelessness. 

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

All these things trouble our society. It's a serious problem. We may think it is unique to the pressures of our modern world, but scripture also talks about these issues. When we experience these things, we are in company with many people we read about in scripture. 

Before we look at scriptures from Psalms today, let me say that I understand that one of the blessings we have is the knowledge that God has revealed through researchers and medical professionals about the physical causes and treatments for depression and anxiety. I thank God that He has given this knowledge. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a medical professional. While I will be using scripture, please do not think that I discount the importance of receiving the help that is available medically. 

Psalm 13:2a How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day?...

Isn't it wonderful that when we see a problem in scripture, there is also a response from God, an answer, a solution, an intervention? Let's look within the same chapters where the psalmists talked about being anxious, depressed, envious, in turmoil, in agony, and see the process they went through in their spirits to see hope in their despair. 

After expressing his anxiety, David continued to write the following words. 

 Psalm 13:3, 5-6 Consider me and answer, Lord my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death. -- But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously. 

David turns his focus from his anxiety to the faithful love that God has for us. He recalls the times that God has delivered him from frightening and dangerous circumstances. He remembers the other ways that God has treated him well. David changes his focus from the external to the eternal God. 

Psalm 42:5a, 6a, 7, 9b, 11a Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? -- I am deeply depressed. -- Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your billows have swept over me. -- Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?

Psalm 42 is one of the most powerful prayers dealing with depression. It is a psalm of the sons of Korah. The psalms of the sons of Korah were written during the Babylonian captivity. You may want to read the entire psalm but I will touch on a few verses that show how God is vital to our struggles with depression. 

Psalm 42:5b Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:8 The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night-a prayer to the God of my life.

These psalmists also turn their focus to the hope they have in God and His faithful love. They turn their focus to praise. There was a song by Bing Crosby that said, “You've got to accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative.” (Now I have that song in my head.) This is what the sons of Korah did. God is the positive. Our circumstances are the negative. 

Psalm 73:2-3a But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. For I envied the arrogant;

Psalm 73:14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

Psalm 73 is a psalm of Asaph. The psalmist has envied the arrogant and wicked.  He feels like he has been faithful, purifying his heart and maintaining his innocence, yet has been afflicted and punished while the evil people around him live comfortably. He doesn't understand why and feels hopeless. Beginning in verse 16, he begins to refocus on the truth of Who God Is. 

Psalm 73:16-17 When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God's sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. 

Psalm 73:23-26, 28 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.  -- But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do. 

For our purposes let’s think of the sanctuary as where the Spirit of God dwells. After the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we are the sanctuary. God’s Spirit dwells in us. I understand there is uncertainty as to what “a psalm of Asaph” means. It may give credit to a group of musicians, or this may be a musical designation. I honestly don't know, but someone wrote this psalm. This psalmist refocused his thoughts to a relationship, a communication, and interaction with the Holy God. He sought guidance and counsel from God. He recognized the glorious eternal Person of God. He stopped trying to understand with his own intellect and to do things in his own strength. He came to the conclusion that God is All he needs. God is his strength and his refuge. 

What these men are experiencing is a refocusing from outward circumstances and inward struggles to a realization of who God is. Of course we are not capable of grasping ALL that he IS, but the more we focus on Him, the more we understand. Read Psalm 103 to continue this path toward viewing God more accurately. Recognizing how He loves us, how He forgives us, how He heals us, can help us take our eyes off our own suffering and help us see the unimaginable hope that we have in Him.

Psalm 103

My soul, praise Yahweh,

and all that is within me, praise His holy name. 

My soul, praise the Lord,

and do not forget all His benefits.

He forgives all your sin;

He heals all your diseases.

He redeems your life from the Pit;

He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.

He satisfies you with goodness;

your youth is renewed like the eagle.

The Lord executes acts of righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He revealed His ways to Moses,

His deeds to the people of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger and rich in faithful love.

He will not always accuse us

or be angry forever.

He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve

or repaid us according to our offenses.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His faithful love

toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed

our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He knows what we are made of,

remembering that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass—

he blooms like a flower of the field;

when the wind passes over it, it vanishes,

and its place is no longer known.

But from eternity to eternity

the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him,

and His righteousness toward the grandchildren

of those who keep His covenant,

who remember to observe His precepts.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

and His kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord,

all His angels of great strength,

who do His word,

obedient to His command.

Praise the Lord, all His armies,

His servants who do His will.

Praise the Lord, all His works

in all the places where He rules.

My soul, praise Yahweh!

I have heard people say, "I'm too blessed to be stressed." I find that a little trite. Maybe even a little condescending and belittling to those who are dealing with feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Maybe a little prideful and self-elevating. I don't know people's hearts, but I can certainly see how people dealing with anxiety and depression might find that hurtful.

I am not belittling anyone who struggles. What I will say is that medication is helpful, and certainly important for dealing with chemical imbalances and other components of depression and anxiety, but a refocus on God, searching His Word, leaning toward Him in faith are also important components of facing our struggles, unpleasant circumstances, and spiritual battles. By all means, get medical attention. But also draw near to God. Focus on Who He IS.  Let Him hold you in His loving arms and comfort you.