Help I am Drowning!
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:
Bless you for sharing your heart.
Wonderful post….this statement you wrote..
“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.”….is something we can apply to ANY trouble or trial….our feelings do betray us, but the TRUTH will stand…it’s just a hard lesson to learn sometimes because our feelings are such a big part of us….but…the LORD GOD is bigger….
Lori,
Thank you for your courage to share a very real struggle and to offer hope. Beautifully written and from your heart. Love you girl.
Lori, I have been struggling with this and your words were very true. It does help tremendously not to go by “feelings” yet the Lord is faithful, He always seems to lift me up enough to do the things I need to do!
Thank you so much for these encourageing words. I am suffering quite a bit from depression and I truly need you to pray that God will continue to heal me.
I know God can but, when you get depressed sometimes you just don’t want any help at all at that time.
I just want to thank you for the encouragement and scriptures that you gave.
Debbie
My anti spam word is Hope! How appropriate.
Lori, thank you for sharing this. I know it has and will touch many who struggle with depression.
Your title and the theme of this post reminded me of an old Christine Wryzten song. The first verse said, “When I think I’m going under, part the waters Lord. When I feel the waves around, calm the sea….Touch my life, still the raging storm in me.”
You are so loved and appreciated, Lori!
Blessings.
Lori,
He laid it on your heart because He knew that people would need to read those words at this exact moment. Especially me. I had a blind sided time this afternoon. Thank you SO much for letting God use your words.
Thank you so very much!! I have had a rough year and my faith is battered. In May I lost both my Mom and best friend to cancer. I lost my job in January, and haven’t been able to find a new one. Then in June my car broke down. I just took the rest of my savings to pay rent for Oct.
I have been walking with God for 24 years. He has seen me through many many trials. I know in my heart of hearts God won’t forsake me, yet I cry at the drop of a hat.
Thank you so much for the reminder that others feel this same overwelling saddness. May God bless you. And for others struggling remember. Proverbs 3:5, and trust God to see you to re-newed hope. We will overcome.