Curious Christian

R U Okay? Every year on the second Thursday of September,  Australians are encouraged to notice the signs of mental health struggle in friends, family, and colleagues, and start meaningful conversations that offer support and care to those in need.

Many people suffer in silence. I did for many years. But one thing I have learned is there is one who always hears, always listens, always hears, I think an appropriate day therefore to share this prayer by David Murray that you can pray when you’re feeling depressed.

Faithful God, although I don’t feel much faith or confidence in you, I will not be guided by my feelings. I trust you, Lord. I trust your word, your character, your faithfulness. I believe all that the Bible says about you, and I will recall your past faithfulness. I trust you, therefore, that you have not changed, though I have; that you are still here, though I don’t sense you; that you are my God, though I don’t feel like I’m your child. I trust your plan for me, and I rest in you as you carry me through these dark and disturbing days.

Depression and Anxiety

despair, downcast, lament, shame

Many prophets and psalmists struggled with depression and anxiety:

Jeremiah

Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth,
a man with whom the whole land strives and contends!
I have neither lent nor borrowed,
yet everyone curses me. (Jeremiah 15:10)

Job

“Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. … Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? … Why is light given to him who suffers, and life to the bitter of soul; who long for death, but there is none … [they] exult when they find the grave … I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes” (Job 3:1,11, 20-22,26).

“That He would loose His hand and cut me off!” (Job 6:9).

“When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ but the night continues, and I am continually tossing until dawn” (Job 7:4).

“My days … come to an end without hope” (Job 7:6)

“I despise my life” (Job 9:21).

“I loathe my own life” (Job 10:1).

“Would that I had died [in the womb] and no eye had seen me!” (Job 10:18).

“My spirit is broken … the grave is ready for me” (Job 17:1).

“My eye has also grown dim because of grief” (Job 17:7).

Elijah

1 Kings 19:3-5

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

Psalmists (David?)

Psalm 69:19–20
You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

Psalm 77

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.

Jesus

experienced anxiety in the garden of Gethsemane

Anxiety is not a sin, even though it may sometimes be caused by sin

Many people of faith experienced anxiety and depression so it cannot be said to be a lack of faith

We will all experience emotional healing in the end but in the interim we may not experience it fully

That doesn’t mean we should not seek healing though

Weathering struggles can produce character and glorify God

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Talking to friends can help

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Philippians 2:28
Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

Talking to yourself can help

Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Talking to God can help

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.