I come across so much amazing material that I want to share, but in an effort to write a blog that incorporates all the good stuff, I end up never getting it in. So, today, I put together a few things that really speak to my often anxious and sometimes depressed self. I hope these nuggets challenge you to think differently about it all as they have for me!
"The main problem in the whole matter of “spiritual depression” in a sense is this – we allow our “self” to talk to us instead of “talking to ourself.” Most unhappiness in life is due to the fact that we “listen to ourselves” instead of “talking to ourselves.”
The number one subject that brings people to counsel with their pastor is the “problem of feelings.” That is really natural, because we all desire to be “happy” – nobody wants to be miserable. Our feelings, and emotions, and sensibilities obviously are of vital importance to us – we have been made in such a way that they play a dominant part in our make-up. Probably the biggest problem for people worldwide, is their inability to handle their “feelings and emotions.”
Spiritual depression or unhappiness in the Christian life is very often due to our failure to realize the greatness of the gospel. Some think that it is merely a message of “forgiveness;” others conceive of it as only “moral” in nature; still others see it as “something good and beautiful.” The truth of the matter is, the gospel is a “whole view of life” – it is not partial or piecemeal – consequently the “whole man” must be involved in it – the mind, the heart and the will.
Again, God chastens us that we become partakers of His holiness. There are certain faults in all of us that need to be corrected – spiritual pride; self-dependence; self-confidence; worldly values; fleshly lusts; lack of humility; arrogance; need of patience. The psalmist said, “It is good for me that I was afflicted” (Ps 119:71). We all have to be humbled in order to arrive at humility – and “failure” is one of the most effective ways to accomplish this. Think of it this way – it is very difficult to be humble if you are always successful, so God chastens us with failure at times in order to humble us.
Grief and suffering are things to which the Christian is subject; he is not immune to such things. The saints of God are subject to human frailties, grief, sorrow, feeling lonely, failure, and being disappointed. The glory of the Christian life is that we can rise above these things even though we feel them. It is not an absence of feeling – that is a very important dividing line – according to Scripture, it is a law that the more we resemble Christ in our life and living, the more likely we are to have met troubles in this world.
Professor Whitehead defined religion thus: “Religion is what a man does with his own solitude.” You and I, in the final analysis, are what we are when we are alone. Paul had a love for God that rendered him independent of all that was happening to him – whatever was happening to him, he was content. How did the apostle reach this condition? “I have come to learn [by sheer experience].” Paul learned the important lesson, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor 12:10) – experience is a great teacher; it teaches all of us." Martin Lloyd Jones
"Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down into the pit (grave). Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Rescue me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You. Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Save my life, O Lord, for Your name’s sake; In Your righteousness, bring my life out of trouble." Psalm 145:7-11 AMP
"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-5 AMP
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