Prolonged Sadness

Many people live with depression. One definition I read for depression is "dejection and prolonged sadness which is unwarranted by objective reasoning." For some people the prolonged sadness does not end. It lasts and lasts.

Another way to describe depression is to describe it as a darkness that will not lift. There are some Christians who think that people who struggle with depression are just not spiritual enough. They reason if depressed people just prayed more, trusted God more, and read and applied scripture more they would not suffer from depression.

The Bible records instances when those who loved God, WROTE scripture, or were major characters in scripture suffered bouts of depression. David did. Elijah did. Job did. So please spare me the super spiritual high horse sermons.

David Brainerd battled prolonged sadness but loved and served Christ. So did William Cowper who wrote inspired poems and hymns. Charles Spurgeon battled times of emotional dejection as well even though he pastored a successful church and wrote numerous books. Have you read the book of Psalms. There are some prolonged moments of sadness recorded by David.

Elijah, for all his faith and all his praying, became afraid and wanted to die in I Kings 19 because Queen Jezebel threatened his life. He had just come off the famous fire from heaven episode on top of Mount Carmel. He had just prayed and believed God to send rain after a three and a half year drought and the rain came. On the heels of all this, Jezebel threatened Elijah's life and he ran in terror.

When I think about all of this a few things come to mind to remember when encountering periods of prolonged sadness.

1. The enemy is relentless. He never stops attacking, deceiving, opposing, and enticing to sin. His tactics vary. He might plant a thought, cause us to dwell on a negative comment, tempt us to sin, deceive our emotions or a host of other things to trip us. No matter  how many victories we win or mountain top experiences we have with God, HE WILL NOT GIVE UP. HIS ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE. The enemy can wear us down over time if we do not keep our guard up.

2. We are vulnerable when we are fatigued. After running from Jezebel Elijah lay down and slept. When we are tired we are more vulnerable to the enemy. We can become fatigued physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many people do not get enough sleep and live under constant stress. They begin to drain physical, emotional, and spiritual reserves. Rest and being refreshed in the Lord's presence helps to combat fatigue. There are times this might mean taking a nap. At other times it might mean withdrawing from crowds for a walk alone to clear our heads, to sit alone to read a good book, or some other relaxing and refreshing activity.

3. Depressed people tend to withdraw from others. While on the run Elijah left his servant behind. He was all alone and people who are depressed tend to isolate themselves. We are more vulnerable when we are alone. WE NEED THE BODY OF CHRIST! We need their prayers, their support, and listening ears at times. If Satan can isolate us in depression he can lead us further and further away from God and from hope. Trusted brothers and sisters in Christ are vital in the battle against prolonged sadness. I am thankful for a band of brothers and sisters who have stood with me and given me wise and biblical counsel over the years.

4. Depressed people live in deception. God sent an Angel to Elijah who provided food for him on his journey. God was at work right beneath Elijah's nose but he could not see it. All he saw was the threats of Jezebel. He took his focus off God who provided for him in the past, raised the widow's dead son, sent fire from heaven, and brought rain after a three and a half year drought. Yet he could not understand God was at work right in front of him. Depressed people cannot see God's new mercies every morning and how great is God's faithfulness all around them. They are blinded to these truths. The darkness in their minds deceive them.

5. Finally, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. What a precious grace that God sends His word to us. He knows how to get the right scripture to us at just the right time. Elijah experienced the word of the Lord speaking to him with the still small voice of God. I have experienced this over and over again in my life. Back in the spring of 2013, in a season of prolonged sadness, the word of the Lord came to me on the back porch of some friend's house. I was reading through the gospel of John and one verse brought light into my mind and soul, [John 5:17]. The systematic reading of God's word is an invaluable aid in combating prolonged sadness. Even more so, we need to renew our minds with God's word. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind proving what the will of God is, that which is good, perfect, and acceptable. [Rom 12:2] We also need to take every thought captive. [II Cor 10:5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We do this when the word of the Lord comes to us.

Elijah recovered. He met God on Mount Horeb. God turns prolonged sadness into gracious gladness again when we seek him long enough, renew our minds in his truth, and keep on hoping in Him. You and I can experience the same type encounter Elijah did with God. Hang on brothers and sisters. Though the prolonged sadness lingers keep hoping in God. He is able to take downcast souls and restore the light of hope on darkened minds. Seasons of prolonged sadness do not last forever.