We recently experienced an election in the United States. There was a lot of disappointment in that, with candidates, supporters, and voters. There is also a lot of disappointment with the way votes were cast and counted.
We all experience disappointment in our lives. If we did not have disappointments, we probably would not have victories. Sometimes our disappointments are with ourselves. Perhaps we thought we could perform a task and end up with better results than we ended up with. There are some people who really struggle with disappointments.
I recently experience disappointment when my new friend, I will refer to her as Anna, resigned. But, her disappointments were greater than mine. Taking away any relationship there may have been, I can find a new friend. Anna struggles with depression. That can be a terrible thing. For those of us who do not experience that battle, we really cannot understand the struggles those who have depression.
Me, being me, thought I could help. I try to be a good listener and comforter. But, I cannot remove the depression. I can only “put a bandage on it.” But, I don’t give up easy…. Unfortunately, that is not something that persistent requests to render aid help with. It seems that the persistence only keeps the issue alive. When I finally realized I was only really trying to make myself feel better, I was ashamed. Even still, I was expecting a positive response to my reaching out.
I have dealt with other people who struggle with depression. In that, it seems to me, there is no end to disappointment. From the outside, I asked how things were going. Obviously, since Anna had experience with the illness, she knew the answer to give, no matter how she really felt. I am no psychiatrist, so my opinion is not from education. Anna, like others, does not have a dial or meter on her forehead that tells others where she is with her depression. Many times, she did not know where she was on the dial herself. Not only that, but there are triggers that can explode the depression.
Feelings of inadequacy and loneliness are fairly common. Many of us experience those at some level, but those who struggle with depression seem to fall off a cliff where others are only knee deep in the negative emotions. Like thinking of what it might feel like to get your arm torn off by a shark, only those who experience that horror can really understand. And, for those who suffer with depression, really do experience horror when they have an episode.
So… in a strange transition, how does this deal with life in the last days? I think it fits in with life everyday for everyone. We need to understand those like Anna, to simply be there for them. We need to support others when they need it. But, there is only one source to completely heal the disease of depression, as well as all disappointments. God will never disappoint. He does allow for things to happen, and those things may disappoint us, but that is because we put our faith into things and events and not in God. God does not want us to be disappointed or depressed, but He allows us to learn lessons in life through what we call “bad things.” The passing away of a loved one. A fight between friends. The loss of a job. In the COVID days, there are endless things that can disappoint.
There are a lot of Bible verses that tell us things about anxiety, disappointment, and depression…. Here are just a few:
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Isaiah 41:13 “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Psalms 94:19 “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Psalms 23 is also very expressive from David of how he felt in the care of God.
But, these verses are only words on a page if the reader does not know God.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Read that verse again – Romans 8:28…. “…all things work together for good…” “ALL THINGS!” So, what we think is bad, works together for good. But, the last part… what does that mean, “..called according to his purpose” God’s purpose is that all people ask for forgiveness and have a relationship with Him.
Without Jesus in your heart, none of those verses can apply to you. And, just because a person becomes a Christian does not heal them from depression or any other illness. Not that God does not heal, but the promise for healing comes in the next life. Actually it is still this life, because we will all live forever, according to the Bible. Some will live forever with God while others will live forever in the torture of Hell and the Lake of Fire.
Where will you spend eternity? The choice is yours! But, YOU MUST MAKE A CHOICE FOR GOD or you will end up burning forever. Jesus said, “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, no man cometh to The Father, but by me.” There is no other way to Heaven, but Jesus.
So, how do you get started? Pray these words, but you must mean them, just saying them does nothing. “Father God, I know I am a sinner and deserve Hell. Please forgive me of all my sins and send Jesus to live in my heart.” If you said that and meant it, you will join me in the presence of God at some point in the future!
Heavenly Father, Your words shall not return to You void. Please help Anna come to a relationship with You. If it fits in Your will, please heal her from the depression and other demons. I ask that you use me and this blog to reach sinners and have them repent and turn to You. Please help me to always look to You to avoid disappointment in the events of this world. I ask this in the name of The Creator Christ, Your Son, Jesus. Amen.