Cry Out To God
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. -- Psalm 142:6
The Scriptures are filled with anguished cries from God’s people. He always hears. He always answers. He always saves.
We forget that sometimes.
Wednesday a man decided to take his own life, leaving his wife and children anguished and struggling to understand. There was no note. No obvious reason. Nothing that seemed to be a trigger. Just a decision that cannot be undone and grief that is beyond comprehension.
No one knows the demons that lie deep within us -- except for our Creator. God knows our deepest thoughts. He knows our paralyzing hurts. He understands how desperate despair can sometimes seem.
I know a thing or two about depression. It is not fun. Nor is it something easily talked about. People look down on you, expecting that if you truly wanted to you could just snap out of it. They don’t understand suicide. In a way, I’m glad they’ve never experienced something so awful.
None of that will comfort this family. They will survive not just one day at a time, but one moment at a time. They are surrounded by friends and their church family. They will draw strength from the God who loves them and will reign down mercy on them.
My strength comes from God. Period. There have been moments when all I could do was cry out His name, trusting that the Holy Spirit would somehow translate my thoughts and feelings to the Great Healer. I’m convinced that’s the only reason I’m alive today. God gives me hope when I have none left to give myself.
Several years ago I overheard a radio talk show host say that depression is selfish. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. Perhaps there was more to the conversation than what I heard but just that statement still makes me cringe. How could a Christian counselor say such a thing?
Depression -- something that is very real and very debilitating -- exists in the Bible. Look at Elijah. He wanted to die. Instead, God sent him angels to care for him and strengthen him until Elijah could once again face life. That’s a wonderful example of how God cares for those suffering from depression.
I pray that all those who suffer from depression will feel God’s love and know that when all seems lost, when hope is gone, when there seems no way out, there is a God who will hold us up and strengthen us until we can stand on our own again. Suicide isn’t the answer. God is the answer. Every time. No matter how deep the despair. Cry out to God and let Him hold you in His loving arms and heal the darkness that lies deep inside.
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