"Hope"

I used to think I’d never find,

The blessing of God’s peace,

Dark depression dogged my path,

And I could not find release.

People prayed and I did, too,

Good people counseled me,

I had some help from medicine,

But still I was not free.

But God was good and over time,

New doors they opened wide,

At first I thought it can’t be true,

And in you I’ll confide,

My faith was weak but just enough,

To start to hope again,

And gradually He made a way,

A new life to begin.

I had said so many times,

To other people sad,

That if they only trust the Lord,

No matter feelings bad,

He would do a miracle,

Abundant life to bring,

But when He did just that for me,

It just beat everything.

And, no, my life’s not perfect,

But very nearly so,

And every now and then I’m sad,

But then it has to go.

The joy that God says is our strength,

Is such a precious gift,

And I can only pass this on,

With prayer that it will lift,

Your heart and hope to Jesus,

And don’t you dare give up,

He knows just how you’re feeling,

And will overflow your cup.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5, NAS)

Perhaps the greatest challenge of depression is that you will never be able to get it to stop. It’s a terrible feeling compounded by a sense of hopelessness that you are doomed to slide into the pit of despair, and nothing is the obvious trigger. While there is biochemistry involved and wonderful prescriptions, there is also a spiritual component that should not be ignored. The Lord wants to give us such a strong hope that we are absolutely sure we will not be disappointed once again. This is part of the miracle that happens when one is healed of depression. There is healing and you can have it.

Lord, heal us of depression, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Alfredo Rodriguez, used by permission. Thanks, Alfredo, and God bless you.