Acknowledging to God the truth about any negative feelings we may have and asking for His help brings His wisdom, healing, encouragement, and blessing into the situation.
We can't control our circumstances, but we don't have to let what happens around us spoil our day and lead us into the darkness of despair. God is with us. God knows all about our struggles. As we turn our experience over to God’s care we can find help to move beyond depression.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6
When we awaken in a day feeling tired or discouraged, we should not tell ourselves "I feel depressed, or, it’s too hard for me to face this day." God invites us to look at the very same feelings and say, “God, I feel tired and discouraged so I place myself into your care. Comfort and strengthen me. Fill me to overflowing with a sense of Your goodness. Thank You Lord that Your unfailing love and tender mercy are available to me all through this day.”
Living with God in recovery does not mean we deny that we have feelings of discouragement and sadness. Sometimes we will have negative feelings, but we can make our feelings line up to the truth of God’s Word.
The devil loves to lie to us and says things like, “Living with the truth will be more painful than concealing it.” “It only that person hadn’t done such and such then you We will avoid depression when we quit making excuses and stop blaming everyone and our circumstances for how we feel.
Depression can sometimes be anger turned inside. When we acknowledge the truth, and repent for our incorrect beliefs, God forgives us and helps us leave dark clouds behind and enter into settledness of heart with joy.
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:6-7
Loving God, When times are hard, thank you for being with us and accompanying us through the challenges. You know the reason for our sadness. You understand our grief. You don’t condemn us for the way we feel. Instead, you are understanding and the friend who stays closer than a brother.
We ask you to draw us close to Your heart and fill us with peace. We rest in your strength and trust in your unfailing love to get us through today.
Lord Jesus, lead us out of the darkness in our soul today, we pray. Protect us from the evil one and give us what we need to lift our head high. We receive the rich and satisfying life You have provided for us today. Amen
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