Summer of Psalms: Sharing Our Pain Through Prayer

Psalm 142:1-7 (KJV)  I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

David was depressed. He was hiding in a cave because King Saul was trying to kill him. There was no safe place to go. Everyone was against him. There was no one he could trust. He had every right to be worried and upset.

Instead of dwelling on it and feeling sorry for himself, he did the right thing. He cried out and took it to God in prayer.

When I have been depressed in the past, the last thing I wanted to do was pray. In fact, I didn't want to do anything. My illness manifests itself with paralyzing lethargy, usually followed by raging paranoia. Yep, it's a fun time.

I have realized that I do not have to be a slave to my emotions. I refuse. Instead, I "take every thought captive" and move, pray, read my Bible and write. It's a process. I'm still learning. I'm not perfect.

Not even close. But like, David, God uses average and flawed people to do great things. If I encourage anyone, I've done God's will.

Thanks for reading, friends!

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Notable Quote:

"It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent."--Jeremy Taylor