1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13

One thing I love about the Bible is that you can find real life examples of just about any situation there, such as jealousy, lying, violence, conspiracy, murder, suicide, adultery, fraud, – you name it. The Book of Psalms for example has several examples of depression. These were men like David, who were said to be after God’s own heart, but they could tell you about very low and very dark points in their life, and some of these moments are captured in Scripture.

We are not sure what the occasion or cause for his depression was but let’s learn 3 things form this Psalm that can help us when we are feeling the same way.

Firstly, be honest with God. There is nothing that you can tell God that will shock him. If, like the Psalmist, you feel that God has forgotten you or delayed in responding, speak honestly with Him. Pour out your heart to God. He understands. Tell him whatever’s on your mind. But this should not be the end of your prayers and encounter with God. In a sense, you are getting stuff off your chest so you can move forward.

Secondly, turn to God. An article I read online said, “Be turning to God”. I like that because the solution to your depression may not come instantly, though God could very well do an instant miracle and take pain and anxiety away. But either way, be turning to God and asking Him to look to you and answer. Move from complaining to petition and calling out to God to intervene in your situation.

Thirdly and extremely important – declare God’s character over your situation and your life and be in faith for God’s deliverance. Like David declare that you trust in God’s unfailing love and that you rejoice in his deliverance. Focus on His character and  declare praises to Him. I can’t promise that this will change your situation instantly, but I can promise that it will help you, more than you know. Don’t stop praising Him. The more you do, the more you see Him for who He is and the better your perspective on your situation and life.

Never forget that God is always with you, no matter what. As the Psalmist does in a different place, command yourself today: “Why are you so downcast Oh my soul? Put your hope in God!”

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