Ps 42:11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Right after we moved to our new house, our dog that had always playful and happy became very depressed. She began to act out. She had become disengaged with us when we were at home. After moving in our new home, when leaving her alone she began to tear things up. We had always been able to leave her at home alone before and she wouldn't bother anything. This was not normal behavior and my wife decided to take her to the vet. After talking to the vet and explaining to him that for the last four months our dog had been sharing a home with another dog while we were having our house built, the vet informed her that they had created a bond and now that she was back by herself and had become depressed. The vet said there is really nothing to do except have her around other dogs. He called it separation anxiety.
Depression is real. Depression can cause us to become disengaged with others. It can cause us to withdraw from life. And it can affect our spiritual lives. As Christians we can put our hope in God.
He said He would never leave us, no matter what is going on around us.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Ps. 46:1-3
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8
God promises us peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Is. 26:3
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Sometimes we have to be like David and stir ourselves up. That even though we are downcast that we can put our hope in God. And remind ourselves that He will never leave us. Even in our desperation, we can praise the One who gives us peae beyond our circumstances. We serve the living God who reigns and He is for us. He loves us and there is nothing we can do about it.
