Jump Start # 3627

2 Corinthians 7:6 “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

Our verse troubles many. It implies that Paul was depressed. A depressed apostle doesn’t set well with the thinking of some. Apostles are always upbeat. Apostles have the answers. Apostles are not supposed to be discouraged. No matter what happens to them, they smile. Depressed, discouraged, doubting are just not allowed among the apostles.

Yet, here we have this verse. Take a look at how others translated this:

• Downcast (CSB)
• Discouraged (ESV)
• Cast down (KJV)

And, the text gives us ample reason for anyone to feel this way. Paul said “we were afflicted on every side; conflicts without and fears within” (v. 5). Beaten down. Weary. Troubled. The body can only take so much. And, the spirit can only take so much.

Had Paul endured all these troubles and yet stood smiling, happy and acting as if nothing was wrong, most of us would throw up our hands in defeat, declaring, “We can’t be like that.” But, that’s not the picture. A fearful apostle. A discouraged apostle. A depressed apostle. That seems real. That is one we can relate to. For, we have had fearful nights and discouraging days. It’s hard to get out of the bed for some. Another doctor’s appointment. Another round of chemo. Another day at a dreadful place to work. Another conversation with ears that are closed and do not want to listen. Another sermon to a congregation that is content on drifting and not doing any more. Another need and it seems that you are the only one stepping up to help. Another argument with the kids.

There are so many ways our spirit can be nearly knocked out of us. Discouragement leaves us tired. Tired of being the only one. Tired of fighting the same battles over and over. Tired of things not getting any better. Tried of people not caring. Tired of not feeling well.

And, it’s good to see that Paul wasn’t doing good on this page of our Bibles. It breathes hope to us. It’s not us. Something is not wrong because we feel this way. And, it’s powerful to learn that Paul didn’t stop. He didn’t move to discouragement street. God helped him. God will help us. Downcast is not where the Lord wants us to be. One cannot be joyful and discouraged at the same time. One will over come the other, but they cannot co-exist within our hearts.

Discouragement is something that shepherds need to recognize among the sheep. The flock won’t eat well when discouraged. Preachers get discouraged. This preacher has been discouraged. We can spend a lot of time chasing the causes of discouragement but that won’t change the present condition.

Consider what we find in our verse:

First, God was delivering Paul from discouragement. He didn’t tell him to “snap out of it,” nor, “just think happy thoughts.” God was aware of the situation and I expect Paul had been praying hard about those things. One of the troubles that comes with discouragement is the feeling of loneliness. No one understands. No one can help. No one. And, that just deepens the depression. You feel that you are stuck and only you can get yourself out of this deep, deep well that you have fallen into. But, that’s not true. God knows. God cares. And, God can do something.

Second, our passage reminds us that God did not take away the troubles that caused Paul’s discouragement. He afflictions and conflicts remained. The Jews didn’t hoist a “Welcome, Paul” banner. We want God to remove the storms in our lives. But often what God does is insulate us rather than isolate us.

Third, God put people in Paul’s life. Titus came. Titus was God’s answer. Titus was God’s comfort. A fresh face. A brother who encourages. Someone who will pray with us. Someone who cares. Someone who loves. Although the troubles remained, Paul was no longer alone. A reminder of God’s promises. A face of someone who believed. The darkness of the night begins to fade with the rising sun of a new dawn.

I wonder if God has sent people to comfort and help us but we have kept them away. Too private. Too much pride. Too embarrassed. So we continue to suffer. The storms continue the darkness within our hearts. We pray and nothing seems to change. We beg God to help us. He can. He wants to. We simply do not recognize it or accept that Titus is God’s solution for us. So, we keep Titus at arms length. We distance ourselves from Titus. And, as we do, we continue to be discouraged and depressed. The help is there, but it’s not the help that we want. We don’t want Titus. We want our problems to go away. And, by acting this way, we are rejecting Heaven’s help. God is helping us, but we won’t let Him. We cry alone. We worry alone. We suffer alone. Titus is standing at the door, but we won’t let him in. And, God must wonder, “why won’t they take the help that I have sent them?” Titus is what they need.

There are times in your life that you need to let Titus come and comfort you. There are times when you need to be a Titus to others. The prayers that Titus brings, the food that Titus offers, the joy that Titus brings is Heaven’s medicine for a troubled heart.

Paul was depressed. God saw. Titus came. Comfort accepted. Help received.

This is the power of fellowship. This is why we need each other. Open your heart and let Titus in. Get out of your chair and be a Titus for someone else. All of this is God working through us. We are His hands and feet. We are His medicine.

Roger