Feelings are funky things. Recently, I feel like I’ve been ASSAULTED by the temptation to be down, depressed, etc.
What’s happened? Normally, I’m feeling great. Then all of a sudden (out of nowhere) the thoughts start pouring over me like a dark waterfall of negativity. And I’m thinking "Where is THIS coming from???"
I told my wife about it when it happened for a few days and said: "It’s weird. It’s like I’m being tempted to be depressed. I’m not giving into the temptation, but it’s still sitting there in the pit of my stomach like a big, hollow ache." She replied, "Are you sure it’s depression? Are you sure it’s not oppression?"
The Bible talks a lot about depression ("being brought low"):
- David got depressed (Psalm 143:3-4)
- Elijah got depressed (1 Kings 19:4)
- Paul got depressed (2 Corinthians 1:8)
This means:
- It’s NORMAL to be tempted with depression
- Some GREAT Christ-followers were (see David Brainerd’s diary)
- Feelings are finicky…we CANNOT trust or be guided by our feelings
- God gives us the supernatural ability to REJOICE in Him, even when we don’t "feel" it (1Th 5:16-18)
- And sometimes, our Heavenly Dad just wants us to find comfort in Him (1Sam 30:6)
Maybe it from all those pretty aprons you’ve been wearing? I kid. Know you’re being prayed for!
Thanks for the openness. Paul, Elijah, David and even Jeff battle with the ever present depression seed. It always seems to be there. Just don’t water it. And, watch out for those pretty aprons.
Thanks Bek & Jeff. And if anyone is wondering about the apron comment, check out http://rebekahherzog.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-cute-is-this.html