Finding Hope in the HeavinessSample

You are not alone!

I am not a doctor, a psychiatrist or a psychologist. I am a pastor, and the only story I have is the story of God’s grace to me. A part of my story is a little black rain cloud that I have battled for years. I would never have classified myself as depressed; maybe sad, maybe blue, maybe down but not depressed. My little black rain cloud grew into a full-blown hurricane about 14 years ago. I had no choice but to acknowledge the fact that I was actually depressed. I felt so alone, until I began to search the scripture and found out I was not alone! There were many people in scripture who had battled depression!

The prophet Jeremiah said, “I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest”. (Jeremiah 45:3 NIV)

Finding out I was not alone opened my heart to begin a long journey to healing and hope. I am not going to give you “7 Steps to Defeating Depression.” I am, however, going to share with you how I have invited Jesus into my journey as I continue to pursue the miracle of joy! One of the strategic decisions I made in my battle with depression was this: I opened my soul to God’s restoration!

The words of the famous psalm put it this way, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23, NIV)

My friend, God restored my soul and invited my participation! I joined Him in the work of finding my way to the light. I pressed down deep. I saturated myself with God’s Word. I clung to God’s promises.

I heard this truth a long time ago from a trusted pastor friend. He said: "In the night, a sailor cannot see land, nor can he get his bearings from the coastline. He must navigate by trusting the dimly lit buoys already set in place."

God promises that He will lead, guide and restore as we saturate our minds with His miraculous promises! Dear friend, if you don’t struggle with depression be thankful, but be watchful. If you have struggled in the past but are in a good season, be prepared and place the buoys of God’s Word in the water so that when the storm rages, you can find your way home. If you are struggling right now, you are not alone and the God of Heaven is on your side!

Thanks for taking time and allowing me to share a little of my story. There is more to come in the days ahead, and God is going to do great things!

You are a miracle!

Grant

The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you would like to receive a daily encouragement,, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day.