Nougat 26

In many circles, Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. That title comes from his pain at the levels of sin and rebellion in his country. I suspect that it is also connected to the grief he gives vent to in the book of Lamentations. Could it be that the inclusion of Lamentations in the Bible is a subtle message to us to keep things real in God’s presence? It also offers us some solutions to life’s issues. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Lamentations 3:24 CEVDCI

[24] Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!”

Depression is Real 7

Recently, I read on Facebook that talking to oneself was fine in the context of a ‘business meeting’, when the CEO is also the board and the sole staff member. It was intended to be funny, and I laughed. But one can see the link to depression, which derives from an individual feeling disconnected from community. S/he might create a whole community in the mind or yield to the notion that s/he is not welcome in community; taking even more drastic action.

Point to Ponder

As believers, can we see the faulty thinking in this line of thought? In our community of 1, Y’shua is present, so we’re actually 4, not 1; and that’s not including angels assigned to our situation. Moreover, we are not the CEO, because God is in control – or should be in control.

Digging Deeper

This premise of God as our CEO has merit in taking us past the edge of irrelevance. For not only is the Lord God all we need; but we all are also needed by God. Given the depression that might be clouding our minds, it could be that God needs us to be the testimony of God’s steadfast love after we have overcome. Being in God’s employ, our experiences can help someone else thrive in their season of challenges.

You see, one of the key components of overcoming depression involves reestablishing connections – to self, with God and others. An assurance of our value to community, that we matter to someone fundamentally, that our presence is valued, makes a world of difference. We matter to God. That’s a point of connection.

Aside from establishing routines and accountability partners, experts say it is also helpful to spend time in the sun. Sunlight may positively affect our mood and tilt depression toward hope. Here’s the great news: in the deepest white of winter when the sun is obliterated from our lives, we have access to the Sun of Righteousness, Y’shua Himself. Contemplation of His love for us can repair any faulty connection between us. Remember, God sent Y’shua to become human so that we have access to salvation rather than condemnation (see John 3:17).

Siblings, that was Y’shua’s message to the synagogue leader (possibly a priest or pastor) seeking answers from Him one night. We don’t know what ailed Nicodemus, but we know that in Christ he found the Solid Rock on Whom he could depend. Because of his night with the Son, Nicodemus’ perspective shifted: he became a secret disciple who later defended the Son of God to his peers. If one moment with the Son transformed Nicodemus, there’s hope for us (or anyone facing depression, for that matter). Y’shua is our Rock, and we can depend on Him (see Psalm 18:2; Lamentations 3:24b; Ephesians 2:20; Matthew 7:24-25).

Self-Check

In times of doubt and disquiet, the temptation is to disconnect from everyone and everything. Do we ensure that we

a) remain connected to Christ;

b) don’t entirely sever connections with others and

c) restore critical relationships with the help of God’s Sun?

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ