We all have times when we aren't feeling up to par. But, there are seasons of our lives when depression sets in and it seems like we can go for days without any joy whatsoever. The psalmist said, "Why so downcast, O my soul?"
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Pro. 17:22
When your spirit is so crushed that you can't seem to bring any joy or laughter to your life you are oppressed and darkness has settled in over your life. What kind of things crush our spirit? Anything that causes you to loose your hope of a better day is a spirit crusher. Living with someone that is abusive is certainly a spirit crusher. Living with someone that requires alot of care that is demanding is a spirit crusher. Having disabilities and physical problems that causes you to be handicap is a spirit crusher. Financial problems that pile up like Mount Everest is a spirit crusher. We are living in an age, in a day and time when many people are going through life with a crushed spirit. It's like having splinters on the inside. No matter where you go, or what you do it feels like that splintered wounded spirit on the inside is peircing you and it can feel like all hope is lost.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit Prov. 15:13
Many people go through this life, never feeling anything but inner pain and conflict. The answer that the world often gives is to get on some medication to make the pain go away so that the inner tension and pain will lift so that you won't feel depressed all the time. This does not heal the spirit, it does not heal the heart, it is only a temporary fix, it is not the best that God has to offer.
Come quickly, LORD, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die. Psa. 143:7
We know that God can and will heal you of depression when you give your life to him, but what if you have been saved for a very long time, and you are very depressed as well. The Psalmist said, "My heart cries out to thee O God, but you are not near." There are times when we pray and pray for deliverance but seem to get no where. What will deliver us in these times of affliction and pain?
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, Isaiah 61:1
This passage is referring to Jesus. There is an anointing that comes for the Holy Spirit. When we fix our eyes on Jesus we can feel His presence and His anointing touching us today. You have to seek him with your whole heart. You can't hold onto your problem with one hand, and hold on to Jesus with the other. You have to let go of everything and lay hold of Jesus. He has to be everything to you. You must be consecrated, sold out, focused on HIM. As this anointing surrounds you, the depression will lift! When Jesus becomes the very thoughts of your mind, the very passion of your heart, the very purpose of your life you will find the joy, the peace and the excitement that you need. It will bring healing to your shattered heart.
