When you’re down

September 12, 2006

By Greg Ebie

Our family had a lot of transitioning to make when I accepted the pastorate of my first church. Immersing myself in “the work of the ministry,” I missed what Susie was going through (shame on me, but that’s another story).

Susie was home with the four kids; homeschooling the girls and managing our home was a full-time job for her. Our new church was much smaller than the one we had previously attended. There were only a couple of other children. Susie and the kids missed all their old friends.

Within months we discovered we would be having another baby. Instead of this being a joyful thought, it only added to Susie’s anxiety. How could she make it with another child demanding more of her time and energy? She became increasingly depressed and unhappy.

Sitting at the kitchen table one morning, Susie sensed God’s presence. She realized she had missed out on the joy God had given her as a parent. Instead of being a drain on her, God intended for our children to bring sparks of life and energy to her throughout the day. Susie wept there in the kitchen as she asked God to renew her mind and the way she thought about our family and her role as a mother and pastor’s wife.

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God — soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”

(Psalm 43:5, The Message)

Susie had been struggling with depression, an increasingly common problem in our society. Depression brings persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness, sleeplessness and a lack of energy. Sometimes it even leads to suicidal thoughts. One common problem people have when they are depressed is poor concentration; they have a hard time staying focused on anything.

Perhaps the real problem comes from not having God in proper focus. We are engaged in a spiritual battle whereby Satan wants to negatively influence our thinking so we can’t see God clearly. God wants to renew our minds and lift us out of our depression. The Lord brings joy and puts a song of praise in our hearts.

If you have been struggling with depression, ask God to help you stop focusing on yourself and your problems and redirect your focus on Him. He can help you put your world in the right perspective.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.