Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust Jesus Christ with your burdens

When Depression Becomes an Opportunity
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”— Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a slump, the kind of low where getting out of bed seems like a task so exhausting you might as well go back to sleep just to avoid it?

I don’t have real, diagnosed, ongoing depression, but I’ve experienced those days. Maybe you have, too. They make my heart ache in compassion for those I love who have chronic depression—people like my daughter, who have fought so hard and so long to keep their mood from slipping. Who fear they’ll spiral down into the depths once more. Who wonder whether the next time they do, the hole will be too vast and deep and wide they won’t be able to climb out.

It’s a scary place to be.

I’ve walked beside her in that dark place, advocating for her and fighting with her, and it’s scary for me, too. Jesus Christ meets us there, and He walks beside us, but it’s not a happy place, a place any of us relish visiting once more. Recently, I battled a crash of exhaustion that seemed to have no cure. It’s subsided, but it reminded me of that dark place, and those feelings troubled me. Each day, I forced my weary body from the cozy allure of sleep … forced myself to get up, to make breakfast, to brew coffee, to walk and to pray. And each day as I did, joy settled into my bones, searing deep like a power. That’s when I realized that even in darkness, even in slumps, even in exhaustion or depression or suffering, a beautiful opportunity presents itself.

Getting out of bed, getting up and getting moving, becomes an opportunity for God’s goodness to display itself through us. Sometimes, getting out of bed becomes an act of faith and hope. And God meets us there, celebrating with us. Just like He’s celebrating every time my daughter strives to keep dark moods at bay. Every time someone chooses His path instead of the world’s. Every time someone chooses life instead of death.

Depression is a real thing, my friends. Sometimes, prayer and faith can keep it at bay, but other times, medication and counseling and other avenues are needed. I believe God provides all those paths as a good and righteous way to battle the darkness. He understands.

The Bible is filled with a number of people who battled depression. A few years ago, I wrote an article about it for Bible Study Tools, “What Does the Bible Say About Depression”, and I still get emails today about how much it encouraged readers to know they’re not alone in their struggle, and that God’s Holy Word (The Bible) addresses this, too. 

Some Bible characters who struggled with depression include:

· King David (see Psalm 143:4-7, in addition to many of the other psalms he penned during low periods in his life)

· King Saul (see 1 Samuel 16-20)

· Moses (Numbers 11:14-15)

· King Ahab (1 Kings 21:27)

· Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:14-18)

· Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:3-5)

· Job (Job 3)

· Elijah (1 Kings 19:4)

· Jonah (Jonah 4:1-11)

Jesus knows we all battle darkness and knows He was the only true rest we’d find. As He urged us in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you are battling a slump, whether that’s true depression or a low mood you’re having trouble managing, know that you don’t fight your battle alone. Remember that even though it feels like you’re drowning, keep swimming. Every stroke you take toward the surface is an opportunity. Every time you fight, get out of bed, make a move in the right direction, is an act of faith and hope. God sees this. I see it, too. 

If I can pray for you or with you, please reach out. You’re not alone.

Let’s Pray: Lord God, thank You for seeing me and walking with me no matter what I experience. Sometimes it’s hard to remember I’m not alone, but the reality is that You are always with me in spite of how I’m feeling at the moment. Help me remember that You celebrate with me as I strive to walk with You. I love You, Lord. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Through It All” by Andrae Crouch. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism.

She released an Advent devotional for those seeking true closeness with God, which you can find at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent. Learn more about Jessica’s fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast.

You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.