Underwater

Depression! How does it feel? It’s hard to imagine what it feels like unless you have found yourself in the pit despair. The helplessness we are plunged into. The feeling of hopelessness. The inescapable dark pit. Feeling unloved and unwanted. The feeling of not belonging anywhere. King David captures the feeling of depression well in Psalm 69. He wrote, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” (v. 1-2). Depression is like treading water that has risen to our neck and there is no foothold to keep us from slipping deeper into the flood waters. David, a man after God’s own heart, knew what depression felt like. The greatest king in the history of Israel struggled with depression. 

There are ways to combat our depression. Medication can relieve symptoms, but it’s not a cure. Therapy can help us discover root causes for our depression and give us tools we can use to help us along our journey. There are various things we can do to relieve our depression. There is no one way. In fact, what we will find is a combination of things that get us through the deep flood waters of depression. Meditating of God’s Word, focusing on Jesus is part of our toolbox for relieving the symptoms of depression. At this point you might be thinking God can heal you from your depression. While this is true, it’s not always the case. If we read through the Bible we’ll find many instances where God didn’t heal His children. However, he used their struggles to help others. Yes, God can heal, but sometimes He chooses not to. 

If we read the rest of Psalm 69 we will find how King David handled his depression. “But as for me, afflicted and in pain– may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.: (v. 29-30). First thing David did was recognize his condition. “Afflicted and in pain.” However, he didn’t stop there. He goes on to say “”May your salvation, God, protect me.” David isn’t asking God to remove his depression. He’s trusting God to protect him while he is drowning in his depression. Notice what David does. He praises God by singing songs to Him. He isn’t just sitting there in his despair. He is lifting his voice to God and praising Him even when he doesn’t feel like it. He goes on with offering thanks to God because inspite of his depression he knows God can be trusted. He knows that God’s track record is perfect. In giving thanks, even under the pain and affliction, God is glorified. This pleases God. 

The lesson we learn is that God is present in our depression, even if it doesn’t feel like it. So turn on some good uplifting music and sing praises to God. Give thanks to God, not for your situation, but for who He is. Music is truly good for the soul. Praising God has benefits. So sing to Him and don’t worry about who else hears you. The only one that matters is God, and He will hear the songs you sing to HIm.