Light At The End Of The Tunnel

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Many Christians feel it is wrong to be depressed. After all, the Bible says to bring every thought into captivity (II Corinthians 10:5), and to think on good and pure things (Philippians 4:8). So is depression wrong or sinful? I am not talking about clinical depression, which is a physical, medical condition, but the kind that comes from negative perception of the world, which often stems from trials in your life, or bad news and events which lead to a sense of hopelessness.

Elijah in the Old Testament became depressed when Jezebel threatened to kill him. “He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life'” (1 Kings 19:4). And this was after God had used him to cause it not to rain for three years and then he prayed and it rained. He had witnessed God’s miracles first hand, and still he doubted and gave up. But did God bring fire from heaven and strike him dead, or even scold him? No, God gently, by a still small voice, told him that he was not alone.

King David lamented that the wicked prospered and increased in riches, and for a while said all his efforts to be righteous were in vain, until he went into the tabernacles of the Lord (Psalm 73). There he understood the end-the evil perish and the righteous are rewarded. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, our help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), our anchor and sure hope of salvation (Hebrews 6:19), who will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Depression is a natural human reaction to bad news and events, but we do not need to stay depressed if we look for the light at the end of the tunnel: Jesus, the light of the world (Matthew 4:13-16).

Prayer
We look around us and see pain, sorrow and unhappiness everywhere. We read only bad news in the papers. It is easy to be depressed, but, Father in Heaven, when we come to you we have hope. Praise the Lord.
Amen

Study by Nancy Silcox