Nougat 25

Holocaust survivor, Eli Weisel, chronicled the experience that broke him spiritually in his book, Night. At one point, when he couldn’t digest any further horrors being manifested in his life or around him in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps, Eli gave up on God. Perhaps by far the most memorable quote in the memoir, he explains:

Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children … Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever…

Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.

If such an experience is described as one long night that killed Weisel’s God and soul, then perhaps the way out of depression comes from living in the day (morning). This is the premise that undergirds our prophet in Today’s Holy Nougat

Lamentations 3:23 CEVDCI

[23] The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.

Depression is Real 6

Siblings,

Weisel bears testament to the reality of evil and its impact on our psyche. While I don’t know whether he was diagnosed with depression (it is a bit sticky with post-trauma survivors), it is clear that in his woundedness from living through the Holocaust that faith became both a point of challenge and part of his identity. This, I believe, is characteristic of persons living through depression or of trauma survivors.

In our Nougat, we recognize that Jeremiah didn’t give up on God . Yet, in preceding verses, it is evident that he viewed God as the Source of the Exile. We might disagree with his premise, but even as we do that, we find ourselves trying to justify God’s nature. We also note that despite giving up on God, neither Weisel nor Jeremiah denied God’s Godness.

Self-Check

How do we explain God’s Godness in the face of evil (to ourselves and to others)?

Digging Deeper

As one who had access to God, and was privy to God’s plans, Jeremiah’s depression hits harder home. He was not as sorely distraught about the abuses faced by his own people for warning them of God’s pending judgement. The Exile, however, took him to the point of initially saying that God’s love had grown cold.

While working through depression, he had a moment of (lucidity and) profound spiritual insight. Jeremiah determined that God’s love isn’t on a switch that can be turned on and off at random. God’s love is steadfast and sure. Because of God’s love, hope was once again possible and depression was chased away. Each morning brought new evidence of God’s love.

I’m not saying that God’s love is the only cure for depression. But the reality of God’s steadfast love offers the possibility of a brand new day – for those caught in a lifelong night; for those of us who’ve contemplated jump-starting the end, or attempted to do so; or for those of us caught in cycles of trauma and abuse.

God’s love invites us to embrace one more season of purposeful living. We can experience that love through the actions of God-chasers: individuals who spend time seeking God first, and living the discovery out loud. We ought to be among the God-chasers whose lives invite others into the healing grace of God’s love. Instead of condemnation, God-chasers offer grace. Instead of resignation or hopelessness, God-chasers assert, ‘We can do all things because of Christ’s love’ (see Philippians 4:13). In spaces where trauma aims to take over, God-chasers allow God’s Spirit to enfold and heal.

No condemnation

No judgement

Just

God’s healing grace

Hope renewed

… all in Christ. That’s how a lifetime’s night becomes hope every morning.

Can we trust God’s steadfast love to override depression?

Point to Ponder

Is that love offered to ourselves or to others seeking to overcome a night of trauma and depression?

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May all we seek be found in Christ