12/26/2020
For some people the day after Christmas is like falling off of an emotional cliff; the exciting and often hectic days of preparation for Christmas are over, and the emotional and spiritual exhilaration of Christmas Day with all its gifts, family, food, and worship, return to routine daily living once again. Some of us are glad for the rest, peace, and quiet, but others fall into a deep depression. The good news is that Jesus is there for us regardless of how we react, and to help us through each and every day and emotion we feel.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 ESV
Jesus not only felt temptation, as He resisted sin, but He felt all the other emotions we do. He experienced the exhilaration, joy, and spiritual rush of the annual feasts, the disappointment of having too little, he felt the pangs of hunger, thirst, sorrow, pain, suffering, abandonment, and yes... depression. He knew then, and knows now, how we feel. Regardless of where we are in life, or how we might react to it, Jesus provides a solution if we will only open the door to His knock. He will come into us and bring us His peace, joy, and sustenance, no matter our circumstances.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:26-27 ESV
During the days after Christmas we see some of the highest suicide rates of any time during the year. The quiet of normal life surges back in like a tsunami, the bills begin to arrive for gifts that were bought outside our budget, and sometimes the relationships that were damaged during our times of family gathering must be mended. There is also the lingering pain that arguments have caused, and over the subsequent days these things begin to fester into deep wounds, but if we turn to Jesus He will heal all these things because they are nothing new to Him, and He knows just how to help us through the rough spots... He does His Father’s work.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.”
Psalm 147:3, 5-6 ESV
We are reminded by Him that our anger, and disappointment with people has a solution... forgiveness, and that if we follow His example we will be able to forgive, and put off the emotional byproducts these things bring with them. We can return to physical, emotional, and spiritual peace in spite of whether those we are angry with choose to change their behavior or not. We don’t need to be loved in order to love, and likewise, we don’t need to be forgiven in order to forgive. Jesus helps us heal ourselves, and He places a scar over our wounds so that they can’t be reopened.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
Turn to the Lord with every problem and He will take it from you, and return His peace to you in its place. If you are burdened He will take that weight from you, if you are hungry He will feed you, or if you are in debt, He will walk with you out of your indebtedness, and then teach you how to be wise with your money, and how to spend within your limits... not yielding to false pride or exorbitant wants, but humility, and your actual means. He will help you walk, and shake the dust from your feet even if those around you are riding in cars... He shows us how to be happy, and satisfied in Him. He takes away the sadness that comes from seeing others living easy and prosperous lives, and teaches us to be at peace with our means, and comfortable where we find ourselves. Our treasure is in Heaven, and our mansion is there as well.
“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21 ESV
So whatever you are feeling today that is leaving you depressed, give it to God, and don’t take it on alone. Ask Jesus to come into your heart, and take your burden. Depression is a tool that Satan uses against us, but Jesus can take your hand and lift you up into joy and peace once more. Pray, go to church, establish relationships with likeminded believers, and above all open your eyes to the fact that Jesus loves you, and will never abandon you to a life of sorrow or defeat.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus our high priest who knows exactly how we feel as we face life, its hardships, and the hopelessness we can face while searching for our salvation. Thank you for lifting us up from the doldrums, and disappoints of life, and sitting us before you. Thank you for giving us the riches of your peace, rest, and joy; even when we are being wooed into sadness by the darkness of Satan. You pull the veil back from our darkest hours to reveal your light, and you take the weight of our burdens upon yourself... turning them to joy once again. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, and removes the depression of the world from us to though your Holy Word, and Jesus Christ your Son. Praised be your name for teaching us to be happy with ourselves, and comfortable in the lives we lead. Help us to be satisfied with our calling, and where you station us. Help us to be at peace with what you ask of us, and the means you have provided us. Hear our thanks as we offer it up in prayer, and worship you as we should, during our feast of Christmas. Take away all depression, and replace it with happiness as we sing, and find our joy in worshipping you. Show us what awaits us in heaven, and don’t let the worldly ease of others pull a cloak of gloom over our relationship with you. Holy Spirit fill us, and Lord Jesus wash us clean with your blood... Father find us worthy in this way, and by your grace seat us at your table in victory forevermore.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes