[:en]”Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him my Savior and my God” is found in verse 5 and verse 11 of this chapter.
Why is David so depressed?
- God seemed far from him in his hour of need. He felt like a thirsty deer in the desert searching for water. (vs. 1-3)
- He looked back at “the good old days”. He longed to return to Jerusalem and minister in the temple (v. 4)
- The discouraging talk of others (vs. 3.-, 9-10). The enemies said: “Has God forgotten you? Where is your God?”
What causes depression?
- Pysical Exhaustion – David was tired of runing and hiding from his enemies. “My tears have been my food all day long” (v. 3); My bones suffered mortal agony (v. 9). Moses could not stand the complaining and wailing of the people. The burden was too heavy for him. He asked God to put him to death. God advised him that he had reserved 70 men to help him. (Num. 11:13-18)
- Emotional Anxiety – Jonah did not want to preach at Nineveh. God sent him into a notorious fish ride. But when Jonah preached and the city repented, Jonah was angry. He turned his face toward God and shouted: “I am angry enough to die” (Jonah 4:9) . After Elijah had defeated the 850 false prophets at Mr. Carmel, he experienced the thrill of victory. He was so pumped up that he raced 20 miles down the mountain ahead of King Ahab. But when Queen Jezebel wanted his life, his emotion fell like a rock. Out in the dust, alone, depressed, Elijah wanted to die. God sent an angel to fed him and give him rest. He put Elijah to sleep. With the emoitons rested, he was a new man. (1 Kings 19:7)
The Antidote for depression is ‘HOPE IN GOD” (VS. 5:11) Look at the future and not at the past. The circumstances that you are facing today are His waves and billows (v. 7). Do not feed on your feelings (v. 3), instead, feed on His Word. God will guard you and guide you. Walk by faith and you can overcome.
What to do when depression stirkes?
- Deal with your physical problem by getting enough rest and eating nourishing food. Have a physical check up by a physician. Your physical discorder may be corrected by treatment.
- Share your deep feelings with an understanding and close friend. Or you may need the possibility of profound counselling. God may use professionals to bring wholeness to damaged emotions.
- Assess your mental outlook. Do not harbor negative mental attitude. Have a positive thinking. Remember the verse: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things” (Phil. 4:8)
Psalm contains several faith builders to combat depression:
- PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD (v. 5a)
- PRAISE HIM (v. 5b)
- REMEMBER HIM (V. 6)
If you are in the pit of depression, the first step back to normalcy is to recognize that God cares and loves you. He understands your situation. Seek deliverance by asking help from Him.[:]