MONDAY: DON’T GIVE UP!

Nov 14, 2022
3 min read

Lord, today my heart is saddened and burdened. My circumstances encircle and constrict me, so I can’t see straight. Can You help me understand what’s happening?

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

It’s natural to give up when the going gets tough. Many people I know suffer from feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Today I’m depressed, so what can I do about it?

My first instruction is to not lose heart. This is more than just keeping my spirit high and thinking positive thoughts. This is knowing God has the power to rejuvenate my depressed heart if I choose to work with Him and marvel in His gospel. Depression, in a spiritual sense, is a lack of order: allowing my inner spirit to fall to the bottom of the chain of order. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 defines this chain of order as spirit first, soul second, and body third.

If I allow my emotions and will to lead my life, I’ll be in disorder. I want to be in control, and when I take control from the Holy Spirit, I depress (quench) God’s Spirit in me as well as my own inner spirit. Then I try to hide my secret and shameful ways instead of confessing them to the Lord. If I believe these things do not exist, I deceive myself, and in so doing, I distort the Word of God.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: After I confess this sin, I set forth the truth plainly. Once God has cleansed my heart, I don’t want to bring back the filthy things I once stored there; I want to bring in what is good and holy: the truth of God. The god of this age (Satan) desires to blind my mind and to keep me from the truth. To maintain good mental and spiritual health, I need to constantly remind myself of the truth: who God says He is and who God says I am in Him.

Lord, I desire to dwell on words that describe Your attributes, such as Righteous, Infinite, Good, Holy, True, Eternal, Omnipotent (all-powerful), Unchanging, and Sovereign. Once I see the light of Your truth shining in me, I ask You to cleanse my heart by shining Your light in me, so those dark, depressed thoughts do not invade my heart and mind.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman