Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 43:5, English Standard Version)
Theme: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving
Context:
As we conclude our review of Spiritual Warfare, there is a need to address a reality of life that is sometimes difficult to discuss, including in Christian circles. I am referring to mental health challenges, such as depression. Fortunately, society has become much more open to discussing mental health issues, but there is still room for improvement. For our study, it will be helpful to consider how we reconcile mental health challenges with a life of rejoicing and thanksgiving. Certainly, we must be careful not to attribute mental health challenges to an attack of the devil. However, attempts to “eliminate” God from the response to mental health challenges may certainly be acts of spiritual warfare.
Bible Study Passage:
In our Scripture passage today, David describes his mental state and his response. Please read the passage and respond to the question below.
Question:
What comfort do you take from David’s response to his situation?
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
March 3, 2023 at 4:55 am
It is wonderful to read David’s encouragement. Placing our hope in God when we are experiencing emotional turmoil is so important. He will help us overcome situations of discouragement and/or depression. David is reminding us to praise the Lord, and place our confidence and hope in Him.
March 3, 2023 at 5:34 am
David’s encouragement brings comfort because when one is depressed their mind can present a hopeless picture – thinking, “this is it, there’s no way out.” However, David said hope in God for “I SHALL AGAIN” praise him.
March 3, 2023 at 8:29 am
There are many causes of depression and some can be physical such as a chemical imbalance.
I think when some Christians have such conditions they sometimes refuse to recognize them.
But if it is spiritual then David is a beacon of light.
March 3, 2023 at 10:16 am
David’s plea and prayer to God is such an encouragement. I cannot say much about depression. I think I’ve experienced being depressed at sone point in time. I remember during those times, I feel each day is too long and I just didn’t have energy or enthusiasm to do anything. I also cried a lot. Crying helps me feel good. I must say, praying with a friend who has a strong faith in God or just talking to this friend or relative who was patiently listening to me and letting me pour out everything helped me overcome depression. I also pray and tell God all that I want to say. I think listening to Christian music or radio station with DJ commenting or giving encouragement helped me too in my reflection , and eventually I bounced back through prayer and really being honest, acknowledging what was wrong and the reason why I was depressed. The degree of depression varies and I can only speak for myself. In my depression, I only rely on God and Christian friends and relatives. I don’t like taking medications even sleeping pills. I’m grateful I overcome such moments of sadness in my life, and I can truly say that with out the support group I have from church, it will be much harder to understand what I was going through at the time. Honest recognition of what you feel is important when you deal with depression.
March 3, 2023 at 11:24 am
David’s response reminds us that we can depend on God in times of feeling down. There are verses in the Bible that remind us we can put our hope in Him, He will comfort those who mourn, He will never forsake us, and He will wipe away our tears.
David’s response gives us hope.
March 3, 2023 at 5:55 pm
David’s response reminds us that those sad feelings will not be forever. That we always need to look to God for solutions & to have hope, faith.
March 3, 2023 at 10:34 pm
David reminds us in whatever situation or circumstance that may be beset us, that this is not the end of the story. We do not place our hope in man or science but in the One who who is omniscient and omnipotent. And though things appeared hopeless and took years to resolve, in hindsight I can see GOD was working through this situation to deliver a victorious end. But I would not have known this, had I not been through this so I praise God for the trials too! “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” Psalm 34:17-18