There is Hope – for YOU!!

By Helen Jesze, 17^th 2023

Since the pandemic, much has been said and written about people in depression, or who are having mental or emotional problems. There were many suicides and attempted suicides by people of all ages during lockdown, when the whole world experienced conditions and unprecedented situations and challenges. We have heard of Christians and even pastors of megachurches who have ended their life, and we might ask, “How can this be?! What is the answer?!”

I certainly, do not have all the answers, but this morning it came strongly to me that there may be among my readers, even my friends, people who are struggling with depression and inwardly, there is a great sadness and overwhelming loneliness – things that they have never shared with anyone. Some fall into depression because of great difficulties they are experiencing, others have everything going for them – great family and friends, financially sound, business and job doing well – yet they are being forced into an emotional corner of isolation, trying to hide.

As Christians, when asked how we are, we often put on the “happy, happy mask” and reply “Fine! Fine! Everything’s just good!” while inside we might feel like running away or even wonder whether it’s still worth living. I heard a well-known preacher describe how he was in a spiritual and emotional wilderness for three years. God was still using him in a mighty way, because of the abiding anointing of the Holy Spirit, but he was felt he was dying inside.

One night in his bedroom, he capitulated and cried out for the Lord to step in and change things. Jesus replied, “I’ve only been waiting for you to come back to me!” He fell on his face in gratitude as he had felt that God had left him. He stepped out of the “wilderness” that night. Beginning to put into practice several things he was shown, he never went that way again.

There has often been a stigma about admitting that we might struggle with depression or emotional problems, especially among Christians, or we might glibly say, “Snap out of it! The Lord will help you!” I attended a course given by an Australian minister on overcoming grief and loss. His daughter had suddenly died, just two days after a routine operation. Pastor of a large church, leader of a Bible College, a popular speaker at many events, yet he described his grief and how he did not know which way to turn, after hearing the news.

The people who helped him the least were fellow ministers who bombarded him with Bible verses, and told him it was not right to grieve like that! Those who helped him most were those who sat with him, letting him pour out his heart or they would just sit quietly by his side, or pray as the Spirit led, letting him know he was not alone; there was a compassionate heart, a listening ear, a comforting arm around his shoulder. Each grieving in different ways, his wife and he nearly separated, but God brought them through and a new ministry was born out of this experience, helping people to overcome grief and loss.

I want to encourage you today that THERE IS HOPE and hope for YOU, if you are in depression. Our Bible verse says that although weeping may endure for a night yet JOY comes in the MORNING! The ‘night’ may last many literal nights, in other words, it will be a ‘season’ of grief or depression, but God is always a God of HOPE. He will bring us into a ‘season’ where he will bring fresh joy and dry our tears.

Depression can have many causes, which I am not qualified to teach about. Yet I would like to mention a few things which can cause depression, that I have seen in my life and in the lives of others. God has made us a triune being – spirit, soul and body, and a problem in one part can affect the other parts, e.g. some people have a hormone or chemical imbalance in their body which causes depression and some mental problems, and this can be helped by medication.

Sometimes our life-style needs to change; we may be eating too many processed foods, sugar and fat, and not enough vegetables and fruit. Instead of too much red meat, chicken and fish would be more beneficial to us. Modern farming and methods extract much of the goodness from our foods and we may need certain mineral supplements to make up the deficiencies. Certain medications bring the side-effect of depression. Your doctor may prescribe a different one, if you mention this.

Are we getting enough sleep and exercise? Do we spend too much time in front of the computer, TV or with Social Media? Do we watch pornography or horror films, which are unsuitable for Christians, which bring us into spiritual bondage?

There are times when people who suffer from depression need a Christian counsellor. It can be helpful to share and pray together, to find the ‘roots’ of the problem we may be having, to uncover abuse and rejection which we have denied, and let Jesus into those parts of our life, bringing healing and restoration.

I have often heard that Christians who were earlier in some form of secret society (or their ancestors were), that they need to be set free from that bondage, also to get rid of any regalia or objects they still have. Very often, illnesses or depression in the family comes to an end. Wherever Jesus went, when he was on Earth, he brought healing and deliverance to people who were sick or bound by Satan’s power. He wants to do the same for us today, if we have been oppressed in any way.

Jesus hears your heart’s cry. He sees every tear that you cry, and waits to bring JOY into the ‘morning’ of your life! There is HOPE FOR YOU TODAY!