Laced With Grace

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters; the floods engulf me. Psalm 69:1-2

Here David is feeling the overwhelming feeling of depression. In his depression he cries out to the Lord. I know personally how David felt, I too struggle with depression. It does not necessarily take an “event” to bring on the depression either. Sometimes it blind sides me, other times I can feel it coming on. It is a thorn I think the Lord has given me to keep me on my knees to him.

Many people can bounce back from life’s disappointments. Others who deal with depression have the sadness that persists and you feel everyday mundane things become too difficult to accomplish. First I want to say if you deal with depression and have not talked to your doctor, please do so. Even if you don’t want to deal with medication, there are natural ways to deal with depression that can help. But my point today is that even if people around you can not understand your mood or why things are so difficult, God understands. First admit you are depressed bring it to God and cry out to him. Even the word…HELP does wonders.

From my personal experience if I feel it coming on I make sure I am feeding my ears, my heart and my mind with things of God. I am reading scripture, reading devotionals, or listening to Christian music. It may not take the depression away but I have found it can help lessen the impact. When I am blind sided I have to tell myself (over and over) I can not rely on my feelings, but on what I know to be truth. It is during these times that your feelings will betray you.

There is nothing to be ashamed of, depression is not a sign of weakness and God will never leave you alone. Do not think depression is a sin, what is a sin is not turning to God for help in your time of desperate need. First if you need help please get it, secondly as a Christian if you know this is something you battle with provide yourself with the tools to help you through those dark times. My struggle with depression is something I don’t think will go away, but seeking doctor’s advice and providing myself with the tools I need when I feel depressed, has helped me tremendously. These things do not take it away, but make it survivable.

I am in no way an expert on depression I am only speaking from my experience, but for some reason God laid this on my heart to share.

Heavenly Father if there is anyone reading this today who struggles with depression I pray you will lead them to the resources they need to get help. Father I know some things in our life you have said you will not remove, we may not know the reason but we do know that we can turn everything around and use to your Glory. Father even when I feel the darkness…you are there. Even when I can not get out of bed…you are there. In Isaiah 40:29 you said you will give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Father please give us strength in our times of great weakness. Amen.

God’s Girl,

Lori

Find me daily:

Psalm 18:4-6, 16-19
“4 The ropes of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. 5 The grave  wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. 6 But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.”
“16 He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 18 They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the LORD upheld me. 19 He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.”

There have been many different roads through my life that have caused great pain and sorrow. It’s so hard to pick just one. Each one has taught me a life lesson and has made me who I am today.

Growing up with an emotionally, physically, and verbally abusive father has made me more sensitive to the plight of children and other’s emotional pain.

Having a miscarriage at age 23 and a hysterectomy before my 26th birthday has made me aware of the emotional and physical pain of women.

Going through the turmoil of a troubled teenage daughter taught me patience (too late I must admit), dependence upon God and prayer, and humility that even in so called best of Christian homes children can rebel; but later become blessed with the promise of God  found in Proverbs 22:6. Because of going through this pain I am able to give hope to others, encouraging them to hold onto this promise because their child will return once again to the Lord as my daughter did.

Having to go through the loss of loved ones dear to my heart, especially a parent, step father and parents-in-law,  has helped me to minister to others as they go through similar pain as well.

But the pain I continue to go through regarding my health started 23 years ago. Seeing one’s body and mind deteriorate can be most painful and humbling. When one has a chronic illness you go through some mountains and valleys along life’s pathway.  Sometimes you can be in the shadow of the valley of death for a long time. I have felt the pain of rejection and isolation from friends due to being homebound.  I have felt the pain and loneliness of depression.  I have felt the pain of humiliation due to having to give up my pride so family can care for my most personal needs due to chronic illness. I have cried in my husband’s arms many times because I just wanted to give up and go home to be with the Lord because the pain of my illness was too great.

These trials are just some of the paths I have had to travel.  Through each trial, temptation, sorrow and pain, God heard the prayers and rescued me from the pits of despair.  The Christian life does not promise a life without pain or sorrow, but it does promise that there will always be Someone who will be with you through it all – Our precious Lord and Savior.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

Sorrow’s shadow has been cast upon many of the paths I’ve been on in my life.  But it is just that, a shadow.  And He has been there with me each step along the way, sometimes carrying me to provide comfort.

Yes, there have been losses along the way, but they’ve been for my good. Each road I’ve travelled I’ve left more of me behind and gained more of Christ!

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21 (NKJV)

Beelieve You Can – Michele’s Morsels

How often do you seek comfort in the midst of trials?  Do you pray and ask God to please take away all of your problems or pain?

It seems like most people are going through trials of some kind lately.  Christians are not immune.  Contrary to some popular preaching on health, wealth and prosperity … we are told to expect trials. 

1 Peter 4: 12 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”

Often our trials provide an opportunity for the Lord to teach us to depend upon Him.  And if we permit Him, He will conform us to the image of Christ as our flesh gets chipped away.

But in the midst of this process … it hurts. 

Each one of us may have temptations to find comfort in different ways.  Can you identify with any of these?

• Comfort food
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Drugs 
• Relationships with a person of the opposite sex
• Family
• Friends
• Shopping
• Internet
• Busyness
• Sports

Not all of the examples above are wrong or sinful.  However, our trials should bring us to our knees before our Abba Father.  After all, He is …the ultimate source of comfort.

We live in a time when we’ve become accustomed to instant everything.  We hate to wait for anything, including our food.

But I’ve found that the lessons God teaches me take time.  He’s more interested in building my character …than in my comfort. 

Instead of always praying for the pain to be relieved, I’ve learned to ask that I learn the lessons in the midst of the pain.  And that I would seek His counsel, wisdom …and comfort.