Benescke Janse van Rensburg
The Sunday Times recently reported that nearly 17 million South Africans are struggling with depression. That is a third of the country's inhabitants! Are you perhaps one of them? Does it sometimes feel as if waters threaten to engulf you emotionally or as if you are stuck in a deep, dark pit with no idea of how you would escape from it?
The Psalmist David felt this way. In the dark cave where he fled before Saul and his men for his life, he also fought an emotional battle. In Psalm 69: 1-3 he writes: "Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help . . . My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me." Andin Psalm 42: 2-4 we read: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."
Earlier in David's life, he experienced firsthand how God helped him as a shepherd to defeat the lion and bear in the field and later on the giant,Goliath. Yet, in the dark cave, he had to fight to hold on to what he believed to be true about I AM. In Psalm 42:5 we read: "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you . . ."David made the decision to remind himself in his darkest moments of who God is.
What is your challenge today? A marriage falling apart? A challenge at work? A disease taking its toll? Financial pressure? Loneliness? Or maybe a desire for a spouse or child of your own? What do you do in the midst of your struggle? Do you keep your eyes on God, reminding yourself of who He is or do you turn your back on Him?
In Psalm 40: 1-3 we read about David's breakthrough: "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."
Even if no-one else knows about your struggle, God does and He cares about it. Do not fall into the enemy's trap by keeping your struggle with dark emotions a secret. Get someone to pray with you or get professional help. Even though He is able to remove our dark emotions instantly, He at times allows us to use medication and get help from experts to receive healing. Lets remember that I AM wants to set us free and give us a life in abundance. God bless.
Father God, thank you for being with me in my valley of the shadow of death. Also thank you for pulling me out of the pit of hopelessness and giving me new hope. Help me to always put my hope and trust in You. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.