Giving It To God

Yesterday, I was looking through the New Testament to find some verses for two of my grandsons.  As I was flipping through the Bible, my eye was caught by the word "depression."  I am happy to say that this is not a word that comes to my mind much anymore, but once it did;  moreover, I know there are many afflicted year round with depression, and there are others who struggle with seasonal depression.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope you are not depressed;  but if you are, take heart.  Even the apostle Paul struggled with depression at times, which is not surprising.  I would be surprised if he did not have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).  He had suffered stoning, imprisonment, and even been ship-wrecked.  However, he did not count his sufferings as loss, because they were for the cause of bringing others to salvation in Jesus Christ.  All he did was for God.

You can have the same joy Paul had and I have.  Give your cares to Jesus Christ.  You may think I don't understand, but I assure you I do, because I was so depressed at one time that felt that I was losing my faith.  However, God would not let me go.  Even when I did not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit interceded for me:  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (NASB, Romans 8:26).  Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for Christians to read, because of great comfort for all of us there.  

Blessings upon you.  As I write, you are in my prayers.  I may not know your name, but God does.  Cast all your cares upon Him -- casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you   (NASB, 1 Peter 5:7).

2 Corinthians 7

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from

 all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

² Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, 

we took advantage of no one. ³ I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said

 before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.

 ⁴ Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf.

 I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest,

 but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

 ⁶ But God, who comforts the depressed,comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort

 with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing,

 your mourning, your zeal for me;  so that I rejoiced even more.

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
 Used by permission."