Most of us know someone who is depressed. Hopefully we have progressed beyond such unhelpful sayings as “snap out of it”, “count your blessings”, “get involved” or “you don’t realize how good you have it”. They need presence, even if it means simply sitting together in silence. What we can try to do is get them out of their isolation.

Suffering and pain of spirit are sometimes hard for others to understand. It is shockingly tragic when someone who seemingly is upbeat and not appearing to be lonely takes their own life. Shame convinces us that everyone else is judging or laughing at us, or just dismissing us as insignificant, nothing.

God promises to be with us in trouble, to not leave us alone and forsaken. Sometimes He shields us from harm, but even when He doesn’t, He is right there in the midst of it, turning the situation or problem into something that can be learned from. When we are the presence of Christ, in accompaniment with our depressed friend or loved one, we break the power of the suffering. We embody Christ, who showed that same power to heal the suffering. Jesus never turns away. No matter the depth of our isolating depression, Jesus already endured it when he went to the cross for us.

When life knocks us for a loop, the darkness in and of our souls lies waiting for the healing light of Christ. When these moments hit you, or someone you care about, may you know and feel the unconditional love of God.

Pastor Art