July 24, 2008

Cure for Dark Clouds

                        I would not be able to live in a place like Oregon. The clouds and rainy weather would do me in. Not that Oregon isn’t wonderful and beautiful in its own way. It’s just that I love the sunshine that I’ve grown so accustomed to here in the Southwest. I can handle the cumulus clouds on bright sunny days, but when the “monsoon” weather pattern  in New Mexico kicks in, and we start getting gray, low-hanging, moisture-filled clouds that block my precious sun, I start getting a “ What’s up with this?” attitude. Everyone is walking around saying how wonderful the rains are and how we need so much more. And we do, but it is those claustrophobic  causing , lingering clouds that I can do without. Weather like that is not for me. It is depressing.

             Depression of any type, whether caused by an overcast sky or an overcast life situation, is not where any of us need to be. So, on a recent third-in-a-row dreary morning, the Lord brought me to the solution, as stated in His word, for depression. We don’t have to reach for that bag of chips or cookies, the medicine cabinet, or a stiff drink to numb the pain of depression. Jesus wants us through the pain, over the pain, and on to better things with Him. What is the cure for depression? What do we do when we get discouraged?

             Psalm 42  is just one psalm that gives us a clue. The psalmist describes his discouragement, his soul being ”sunk down” (verse 5), his tears being his food day and night (v.3). He recounts how he used to go along with the worshipers, the singers and dancers to the Lord. In fact, he led the worship procession to the house of God at the festivals. But that has all changed, as he is now disturbed. He thirsts for God, His presence, His promise, His Life.

             And in answering his own question of “what do I do now?” several points come up: hope, praise, and remember. Hope in God. Our hope for delivery from ourselves and help for any situation we are faced with lies in our belief and trust in God and His loving presence with us, working within us to bring us closer to Him in relationship and closer to the image of His Son Jesus, in state. The word hope, in verse 5 actually means to wait for. As we realize that it is God at work in us to will and to do His good pleasure, we can wait for Him to manifest Himself and His will in the situations or circumstances (or weather) that is getting us down. We can wait for Him to work it out or walk us through.

             The second key point is praise. There is power in praise. God himself inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3). Praise a fellow human being with genuine, deserved, heartfelt praise, and watch him/her light up. Praise is encouraging. Praise God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, who is more than worthy to be praised, and witness the release of His mighty power in and through you, and to you! You cannot praise God, acknowledging all His wonderfulness, His attributes, blessings, wonders and works, and stay “sunk down”! (Isa. 61:3) Praise keeps us in Life.

            The third thing to combat discouragement, depression, and being “sunk down” is- remember. What a key thought! Too many times, we remember and dwell on negative things in the past. Those could be the very things depressing us. But we are admonished to remember. That implies a past, and it is in remembering what God has done for you and for others in the past, that gives us hope for the future. He cared enough about the children of Israel, for example, to deliver them from bondage, and do things like provide water in the desert for them from a rock, or cause manna to eat to appear like the dew on the ground every morning, or cause flocks of quail to rain down upon the camp for meat. He also cares about you. Remember and be confident that He will feed you and give you what you need, too. Remember how He has brought you through various difficult circumstances or situations in your past, and count on Him to do it again. Remember how He has walked or perhaps carried you through “scrapes” in the past and know that He will do it again. He will not give up on us. He is faithful and true. (Revelation 19:11; Deuteronomy 7:9; 32:4;Psalm 18:25; 145:13; etc.) He will bring you through.

             Not only are we to remember God’s awesome acts, but we are to also speak of them and Him to future generations, so that they will know on whom they can depend and trust in also. Psalm 145 not only extols the wonderfulness of praising God, but also instructs us to praise Him and tell of Him to our children:

             “One generation shall praise Thy works to another, And shall declare Thy mighty acts.” V.4

             Verse 5 tells us to meditate on God’s wonderful works, and verse 7 says to “eagerly utter the memory of Tine abundant goodness”. Throughout the remainder of this psalm, the author speaks of telling of the glory and power to the sons of men and to generations to come. Read it. You will not remain unchanged.

             Remembering God’s work in time and in our lives will lift us up. It is in remembering His past that we find strength for our future. (Psalm 143:5) And it is our sharing of God’s works in the past with others, especially future generations, which will strengthen them for whatever is ahead. (Psalm 22:30-31) The children of Israel were told to write God’s deeds and laws on their doorposts and their foreheads, and to speak of Him to their children when they lie down and rise up, and “along the way”. To me that translates into- when you are in the car, (going 100 miles for groceries) when you are doing chores, or going on walks. Whatever you are doing, it is important for you to keep God and His wonderful works to you in your thoughts and heart. It is more important to let the generations of the future in on the amazing wonders of God. Past, present, and future.

             When we hope in God (wait for Him) and praise Him, and remember whom He is, it does not matter if the sun is shining or if the clouds are hanging overhead. In hope, praise, and remembrance, the Son shines through anything in our lives.

“ So we Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture will give thanks to Thee forever; to all generations we will tell of Thy praise” Psalm 79:13