WORD OF LIFE, PART 19: "SOULCARE CAN DEFEAT DEPRESSION"

The entire Book of Psalms (all 150 of them) is considered the Prayer Book of the Bible for a reason. They cover every emotion known to men and women. From joy to wonder and from sadness to grief…and a whole lot more. A lot of the Psalm cover the topic of Depression. Most people’s historical perspective begins, for them, from the day they were born. It is actually not so. There is nothing new under the sun.  The sheer volume of human beings suffering from depression seems huge, but when considered in context of almost 10 billion people alive in the world today….well, it is somewhat understandable.

Well-known men and women, highlighted in both the Old and New Testament suffered from the same sort of depression in varying degrees. Yet they had no modern band-aids like the mass consumption of anti-depressant drugs like North Americans. ALL they had was Faith….and their Faith in the One True God – Yahweh.  Elijah ran and hid a cave depressed after Ahab and Jezebel tried to kill him, thinking that he (Elijah) was the only man of God left in the world (1 Kings 17:4) God sent ravens, of all created beings, to minister to Elijah and to feed him divine and tasty food and water. This nourished both body and soul as the prophet knew God literally was looking out for him.

King David was overwhelmed by depression several times in his fourteen years on the run from the jealous wrath of King Saul, who trying to kill him. Being constantly on the move in deserts and caves took a toll on this young man. Psalm 119:145-152 is not about this particular depression in the future great king of Israel, but it is about a man under pressure, or a woman or anyone alive today, since the Bible was written 100% for our instruction, edification and correction in our thinking and lifestyle.

From even a casual study of the psalms, we see a person of Godly character either in the depths of despair, danger and drifting who, never the less, never allows himself to be pulled away from his Faith and Trust in Yahweh. Rather than explain what each verse means, it is more impactful, meaningful and full of spiritual significance, if we read, meditate and ask the Lord the following portion of Scripture in our spirits. Start here:
Psalm 119:145-152
Qoph.
145   I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord! I will observe Your statutes.
146   I cried to You; save me and I shall keep Your testimonies. 
147   I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.
148   My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.
149   Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.
150   Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.
151   You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.
152   Of old I have known from Your testimonies that You have founded them forever.

In verses 145-147, the man of God describes what He did to reflect his emotional and spiritual lack of alignment with the Joy of the Lord. But the second part of EACH verses, shows a Godly person (today - you and I, fellow Christians) who will remain FULLY focused on God, His Word and His Truth - regardless. This reminds of Job when he says "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. This also will be my salvation (Job 13:15-16a). 

Job is the epitome of a soul who is surrendered to God, as well as, hopes in Him. He says so in Job 13:16a "this will also be my Salvation".  In Psalm 119:148, we see why the old school discipline of "Soulcare" is so important in Biblical counseling. 

From Verses 148-152:
Soulcare tells us that we have a true Hope in times of trouble, and precisely when we do not feel like it, is when we should meditate and focus on His Word.
Soulcare tells us that because God's Spirit lives in His Redeemed, He will hear our prayers and renew a right spirit within us, according to His Will and purpose.
Soulcare tells us that our God is never far from us, even when He remains silent for as long as He wants or wishes to be. He is still near us.
Soulcare tell us that all of this is true because His Word, promises and laws can be trusted, not just because they were actually written from ancient days, but because they have always existed....even before the Creation of Planet Earth.