I’ve been there in the dark season of depression. I know what it’s like to wonder if this thick cloud that seems to surround me will ever lift. I’ve sat in the waiting rooms, read the articles, and attempted to talk about the moments that made me question if I was ever going to be ok again.
We cannot cover depression with a bandage or pretend like there are not tangible physical reasons for mental health struggles. But what we can do is use the resources we have wisely and share the hope we find in scripture.
There are a few Psalms that helped me through some of the darkest moments and I want to share them with you. The Psalmist conveys my feelings in ways I could never verbalize on my own. I have prayed these Psalms many times while asking God to deliver me from the struggle at hand. Every time I read them, I am reminded again of how amazing and alive God’s Word really is. While I love the entire chapter of each of these Psalms, I included the highlights that speak directly to my heart. For deeper study, read the entire chapter.
If you are encouraged by one of these, it’s your turn to hold out your hand to a friend and pull her up. Be an encourager and pass this on!
A Psalm for the fearful heart
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:1,14
Fear is gripping. It’s the feeling that starts small but grows and seems to take us down faster than we want to go. But God gives us big truths to cling to from this psalm. He is our light! He is our strength! When fear grips us, we know where to go to find light in the dark and strength when we feel depleted. It’s not that we immediately jump for joy and have miraculous physical power, but remembering where the light comes from, helps lead us in the right direction when we are in the depths of the dark.
A Psalm for the waiting heart
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry pit, and set my feet on a rock, and made my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3
Seasons of depression pass more slowly than other seasons of life. The days pass and the nights never end. But here the psalmist reminds us that God will lift us out of that fearful place and give us firm ground to stand on. When we feel like the night will never end, it gives us new hope to rise with a new song for a new day.
Hymn for a broken heart
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I will again praise him, my salvation and my God .” Psalm 43:5
The question of why is difficult to answer in times of depression. Sometimes there is no good answer. But we can always find an answer to where to find hope. This psalm spells it out for us and leads us to God with praise and thanksgiving for salvation.
Hymn for a sad heart
“I am weary with my groaning; every night my bed is filled with tears; I make my couch wet with weeping. My eye runs down because of grief; it fails because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will accept my prayer .” Psalm 6:6-9
Grief changes us. It forces us to stop and accept the pain of the world around us. Loss takes us into emotional cycles that we may try to ignore when another wave of grief overwhelms us. Tears are not a sign of weakness, they prove that a person is letting him or herself go through something difficult. The hope we have is that God hears the cries of his children and that he gives us words to help us express the deep pain of our hearts in grief.
Hymn for the Overwhelmed Heart
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, though the mountains be carried into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling, yet we will not fear. Selah . Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46: 1-3,10
Life is chaotic when surrounded by struggle. There is no shame in remaining steadfast, and this psalm gives us the very tangible value of slowing down the spirit and allowing seasons of struggle to be a gift rather than a curse. Being still and letting God go into the depths of the overwhelming is perhaps the key to finding the help we need to make it through the next day.
A hymn for a fearful heart
“Have mercy on me, O God, for man has oppressed me. All day long a foe has oppressed me ; all day long my enemies have trampled me, for many have risen up against me. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I will trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:1-4
Life gets complicated when people treat us badly or hurt us on purpose. But there is one person who is always steadfast, faithful, and true. If you are worried about what might happen next or afraid of what people will do or say, know that God is kind, compassionate, loving, and merciful. He wants to hear you pray the words of the Psalms.
Hymn for a broken heart
“Hear my cry, O God, give ear to my prayer ; from the ends of the earth I call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to a rock higher than I.” Psalm 61:1-2
Going through depression is something I never want to do again, but I am grateful for that season when my heart was broken because I experienced God’s presence like never before. These hymns allowed me to pray when I had no words. The wounds of life were deep and my heart was filled with fear and despair.
No matter what you are going through or how hard life is, sing these simple hymns to the Lord today and let Him meet you right where you are. May God bless you and begin to give you a glimpse of hope.
I pray that today’s pain will become tomorrow’s blessing.
I don’t know what will happen next. I don’t know what lies ahead. The pain of the present tries to make me feel like tomorrow will be the same. The wounds are trying to make me feel hopeless. But I know it’s only temporary.
The time will come when everything will be fine. But before that time comes, Lord, this is the cry of my heart:
Please give me a reason to believe in your promises. Please teach me how to keep my faith. Sometimes I feel so tired and helpless. I want to give up, and rest. But you are the source of my strength. Please make your presence more evident.
Take me into your heart, Lord. Open my eyes so I can see your hands. Strengthen my spirit so I can do what is right in your will.
I pray for your wisdom. Teach me to trust in your words, not in my own understanding and knowledge.
Help me to be deep and rooted in your love. As I do so, I will remember the purpose you have planted in my heart.
Father, teach me how to handle this pain. Give me a humble heart that wants to surrender all burdens in your presence.
I pray that you will transform all my tears into blessings.
One Response
Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great layout.