If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.--Emily Dickinson
There is little humor in depression. As I mused about a lighter way to start this article I came across this quote: "The world is a hellish place, and bad writing is destroying the quality of our suffering." I'm not sure why Woody Allen comes to mind.
The psychology instructor had just finished a lecture on mental health and had proceeded to give an oral quiz to the freshman class. "How would you diagnose a patient who walks back and forth screaming at the top of his lungs one minute, then sits in a chair weeping uncontrollably the next?" A young man in the rear of the room raised his hand and answered, "A basketball coach?'
Reflecting on depression recently I thought of all the joyful ways of viewing the world through the eyes of Faith. "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
The day of the Lord has already come! We are redeemed. The price of victory has been paid. We are free. Yet many are troubled and frequently mope in sadness and depression. I am not speaking of the clinical manic depressive, but about the "the glass is half empty" people.
Can anything be greater than knowing that Jesus has risen and has established His kingdom forever; unshakeable and on solid rock? "It is finished," Jesus said as He defeated Satan's kingdom and brought about our salvation.
Now all we have to do is be the witnesses. Be alive! Walk and talk and speak the truth, and not be confused by the values of the world.
Now all we have to do is listen to the Lord's voice bringing us PEACE and JOY and HOPE.
John 16:33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
2 Thessalonians 3:16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Zephaniah 3:17The LORD your God is in your midst,a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Jeremiah 29:11-12For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
Psalm 50:15 Call upon me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
God has given us life today. In gratitude let us begin anew to do our task - to be witnesses. There is work to be done. Let us not sit around when the Master says: "Go you also into my vineyard" Matthew 20.
