We all struggle with varying levels of sadness, despair, and depression. It impacts every area of our life. Our motivation and energy are low, our thoughts are dark and gloomy, and frequently we don’t know why. I’ve had a few seasons in my life of deep, deep sadness. I tried everything: getting outside, eating more salads, going for walks, serving others, but nothing seemed to help. What has worked more often for me (please share what helps you in the comments below) is inundating myself with worship music and the Word of God. Blasting worship songs, singing loudly, even when I didn’t feel like it, and then reading whole books of the Bible in one sitting. This is what got me out of my “funk.” In all of this, being honest with God about my discouragement and sadness was vital. God knows anyway; you might as well tell Him.
Psalm 43:5: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!”
This refrain is repeated twice in Psalm 42 and here at the end of 43. I encourage you to read both of them. 42:1 starts with: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
Are you discouraged or depressed? Do you long for God? What do you need to finally admit to God?
#MinuteWithMaxon #MWM
Photo by Jake Colling on Unsplash
Scott Maxon 