Tag: depression

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
I thirst for God, the living God. (Psalm 41:1-2)

Many times when we see these verses, we think of it as, “God I already have this close relationship with you, but I want to draw even closer.”

But as you look at these two psalms, that’s not what David was saying. Far from feeling close to God, he felt distant from God.

“When can I meet with God? I remember those days leading worship in the temple. But now I feel overwhelmed by the waves of life. Why have you forgotten me, Lord?” (Psalm 42:2-4, 6, 9)

But again and again in these two psalms we see David speaking to his own heart.

Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God. (42:5,11; 43:5)

Why would he repeat these words three times? Because despite his faith, he still struggled with his emotions.

Jesus’ disciples knew what that was like. Like David, they were being overwhelmed by the waves. And though Jesus was in the boat with them, he was sleeping, as if he didn’t care.

And they cried out, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” (Mark 4:38)

After Jesus calmed the storm, he asked them,

Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Our emotions can be strong. They can threaten to overwhelm us.

But in our times of fear, depression, and discouragement, let us choose to put our hope in God. Let us choose to believe him. And let us choose to praise him.

After all, two thousand years ago he came to this earth and proved on a cross he is worthy of that trust.