Good morning…
Amid this time of year with graduations, weddings, and special days dedicated to mothers and fathers, depression can creep in for some of us who feel depleted and disconnected, with high hopes and deep dreams derailed. I just read the obituary for Libby Wood, with this challenging sentence: “Sadly, she lost her battle with depression on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.” This weekend, Libby’s four-year-old grandson unexpectedly joined her in heaven after battling sepsis in the ICU in Charlotte, N.C. How utterly devastating for loved ones twice brokenhearted.
Lifting prayers for this grieving family, I revisit an article shared by a dear friend on Saturday.
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What Do We Do with Our Sadness, Melancholia, and Depression? by SCOTTY SMITH, May 13, 2023
“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.” Ps. 43:5
Lord Jesus, many of us occasionally visit, or “permanent residency,” somewhere between mild melancholia and deep depression. Teach us how to care for our friends in the throes of dark feelings. And teach us what to do with our own fears, anxieties, and heart-distress.
Continue to free us from simplistic views of depression. David asked the right question in his own season of duress: “Why, my soul, are you downcast?” (Ps. 43:5).—for there are many reasons for a downcast, disturbed soul. You don’t love us more when we’re happy; you’re joyful in loving us no matter our emotional state.
We pray for friends whose depression is spiritually generated. The dark hole of living with little (if any) experience of the wonders of your love and the peace of God can be debilitating. Especially when the devil’s condemning, blaming, and shaming voice fuels despair and self-contempt. Jesus, bring the riches of your grace and the power of your Holy Spirit to bear. Sabotage the non-stop lies of our defeated yet fury-filled foe (Rev. 12:12).
For friends suffering from depression generated by physiological reasons, lead them (us) to proper care and treatment. Our brains and bodies are more complex than we realize. Sometimes medical care is more timely, needed, and “godly” than a renewed commitment to spiritual disciplines.
For friends experiencing trauma-generated anxiety, sadness, or depression—Jesus, meet them (us) in the fresh loss, cratered-heart, or collision with evil. Help them (us) process their stories with caring listeners. Grant situation-shaped grace, and help in naming and taming our triggers.
Jesus, help each of us steward our “downcast-ness.” Whether we’ve drifted into an elder-brother whiney-pity-party (Luke 15:25-32), are finally doing long-overdue grief-work, are experiencing the normal sense of loss that comes with aging, or have just buried a spouse, child, or friend… that’s where you’ll meet us, grace us, and serve us. Jesus, don’t let us isolate; let us incubate in the presence of a few good friends. Thank you, and So Very Amen.
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When depression creeps in, might we lean into this very specific request? Jesus, don’t let us isolate; let us incubate in the presence of a few good friends. Honestly incubating dark feelings with our soul friends, hope and healing may slowly be restored. Backing up a few verses in Psalm 43, we each ask the Lord for guidance. Send out Your light and Your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to the places where You live (v. 3, NLV).
May we be led by God’s light and God’s truth to the places where we and our loved ones can truly experience the presence of our living Lord. With those who feed our soul, let us incubate, not isolate.
…Sue…
