the other day I was depressed. I guess that sounds like a common theme. But the fact is I have a chronic depression disorder.

I spent a good part of the day trying to get rid of the depression cloud. It just didn’t seem to go away. I didn’t feel like praying, my mind couldn’t concentrate on reading Scripture even if I wanted to. And I was really doubting myself as a Christian.

I don’t remember how it happened, but a song came on somewhere. It was a worship song. And it seems like the depression cloud just blew away.

Saul
In 1Samuel, Saul was chosen because he was head and shoulders above the rest. He was chosen, and he tried to walk with the Lord.

1 Sam 16:23 And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

sad
when Saul lost his way and wasn’t following the Lord,and when Saul lost the kingdom, and when Saul saw that David was blessed above his own victories, he opened the door to evil spirits.

song
David took a harp, and played so Saul was refreshed, and the evil spirits departed from him.

smile
for a temporary period of time, Saul was delivered from depression.

When Saul was sad David played a song and Saul would smile. When I am sad I have songs to listen to that make me smile and worship God.

The scary part is, why am I getting sad? I have written about this before, but it boils down to where is my heart. If I dwell in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. If I don’t have joy, where have I been dwelling? we know from the Bible that Saul’s heart was turning away from God. I really don’t want that to be about me. There is nothing more important than spending time in God’s presence every day. For me, a lack of joy is a clear indication that I have not spent time in God’s presence.

Saul-sad-song-smile!

The Lord gave me this simple alliteration, and while it does point me to worship to get rid of depression, it scares me that I might be turning out like Saul.

What about you? Where is your joy? If you are a child of God, follower of Jesus Christ, then your joy is in the presence of the Lord God.

Ps 122:1 [[A Song of degrees of David.]] I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

may the joy of the Lord be your strength today and for ever, amen.
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!

Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!