Needed Solace Found

One of the reasons I’m up front about my struggles with depression in the past is that I think there is a lot of Christians who struggle with it … and then feel guilty about struggling with it (after all, my life is in the hands of the One who made all there is, for crying out loud, why should I feel this way). All that does is to contribute to the perpetuation of the depression. I feel bad, but Christians should be joyful because of Christ, so shame on me. (Is that clear to anyone who has not wrestled with the monster before?) I have been on medication for depression in the past, and I will go on medication again in the future if necessary. Christian biochemist and psychologist Archibald Hart sees the medications available now as a gift from God.

I’ve been wrestling with the monster again recently, and I covet your prayers. At times I feel silly and weak because of it. As I was working this morning, God gave me some solace and encouragement in the form of an old hymn that I then chose to use as the anchor for my part of the Wednesday evening worship time. Good stuff bears repeating even if the language is archaic, so here it is (words by George W. Robinson):

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace!
O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christ-less eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know as now I know,
I am His and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
O to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
First-born light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be
I am His and He is mine.

I know that a lot of church people don’t want to hear that their leaders struggle. I’m not going tell you that your walk with Christ won’t lead you into areas that are difficult and painful, because following Christ will lead you there … sometimes frequently. But the truth of God is this: though He doesn’t lead me around the valley of the shadow of death, He promises to walk through it with me. That’s enough to think about for now …