“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV)
“For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16 NKJV)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV)
When it comes to your emotions, sometimes you’ve just got to draw a line in the sand and yell at the top of your lungs, “enough is enough!” That is where I am right now. I have been completely delivered from depression for 3 years (released from the need for counselling or medication). A week or so ago, something happened in a very special relationship that broke my heart. The enemy jumped on that and tried to put a “spirit of heaviness” back on me. In Jesus Name, I refuse to let the “spirit of heaviness” back into my life! For far too many years I allowed depression to have it’s way with me. I tried counselling, medication, and prayer, which all helped, but I would still struggle. My victory finally came when I realized, that while there are physical and emotional aspects to depression, according to scripture it is a spiritual battle. It is an affliction brought to us by the enemy and as such the ultimate solution is found only in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
In Isaiah’s prophecy about what Jesus accomplished for us, he includes freedom from depression (the spirit of heaviness). In my born again spirit there is no depression. I have been given the “garment of praise” for the “spirit of heaviness.” At the cross Jesus made the great exchange. He took upon Himself my sin and gave me His righteousness. He took my sickness and gave me His health. He also took my depression and gave me His joy. I do not have to accept into my life anything that Jesus took with Him to the cross. Hallelujah!
Experiencing what I possess in Christ is not easy, but it is worth whatever effort is needed. Sometimes I have to just buckle down and “fight the good fight of faith.” I need to remind myself that “the Kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” And when I feel like giving up I need to allow the Lord to help me to “not grow weary in well doing.”
When David struggled with what life was throwing at him he “encouraged himself in the Lord.” I have learned that when circumstances are tough, and I am tempted to give in to depression, it is time to start praising the Lord, and give Him thanks for His goodness. As I worship the Lord through the struggle, the joy that I already possess in my salvation begins to bubble up and change the way I feel. Doing this when I don’t feel like it is called the “sacrifice of praise.” It really works. Praise the Lord for His deliverance!
Sometimes you’ve just got to say with…
…Eric’s Life Lesson #13: “Doggone it all! I will not let life get me down!! (thank you Lord for being so good)”