Jump Start # 1167

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

  This week we have been writing on the tough issues of depression and mental illness. So many of you readers have poured your hearts out to me about personal journeys and the difficulties you have experienced from those who did not understand. From all across the country I have received email after email expressing the pain and guilt you have carried for years. For most of you the journey with these difficulties continues. You have good moments and good days but then suddenly, like a raging flood, the darkness and gloom returns. It seems for every two steps forward you take, you find yourself going back one. It is a struggle. Most do not understand and thankfully you continue on with the Lord.

You are not alone in your journey. I wish you could have read what was shared with me from so many others. Good and godly folks, some serving as elders and preachers and others you have walked with the Lord for a long, long time have struggled with the darkness of valleys in their lives. Sometimes it may feel like you are the only one who is going through these things. You are not. You may feel like you are the only Christian who has ever had these troubles. You are not. You may feel that you are the only Christian who had to take prescription medication or had to seek professional help for the troubles in your mind. You are not. It doesn’t shorten your journey, but it helps to know that you are not a freak, nor an odd ball. There are others. Many, many others.

It also helps to know that the dark thoughts and doubts you have experienced have not only been felt by others, but they have learned to manage them and found ways to continue to serve the Lord. Preachers have continued to preach, fighting the darkness of depression. Elders have continued to serve, dealing with their own emotional and mental issues. These folks have not given up. They continued on with the Lord. There is great hope and encouragement in that. I went to a PGA golf tournament last week. Watching those pros didn’t help my game. They were so amazingly good that I thought I could never do what they are doing. But when I go out with a bunch of friends who all golf around the same score and one of us has a great shot, it encourages me. I can do that too. He’s like me and I’m like him. There is great hope in knowing and seeing others who are like you who are doing well with the Lord. Together, you help one another. Together, you offer encouragement. Don’t give up.

The thread I saw this week through all the stories from you readers is faith in the Lord. One shared with me that he has thought about suicide before. Others fight those thoughts. But what pulled them out and kept them going was the Lord. The medicine helped. The professionals had a place. But nothing beat the Lord. That theme was loud and clear. That theme is found throughout the Psalms and in Paul’s writings. In 2 Timothy 4, Paul revealed that everyone had abandoned him. He was in prison. Caesar was soon to be through with Paul and execute him. He proclaimed, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” What a great thought and what great hope. Like Paul, you may feel deserted. Abandoned by your family. Left alone by your church. Friends, no where to be found. And then darkness descends. Yet the Lord is there. David would say in that classic shepherd Psalm, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.” What is interesting about the layout of Psalms 23 is that at the beginning of the chapter David talks ABOUT God. You know it, ‘The Lord is my shepherd…He makes me lie down.” The expressions are about God. But something remarkable happens in the fourth verse. There, when he mentions journeying through the valley, he says YOU are with me. YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me. He switches from talking about God to talking TO God. This takes place in the valley. It is in the valleys that we need the Lord so much. It is in the valleys that doubts, fears and worries are the greatest. It is in the valley that we truly need to talk TO God. Prayers come from the valleys.

Finally, our verse today, “Come, Lord Jesus,” is a absolute reminder that God is greater than your problems. John wrote, “Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world.” Come, Lord Jesus and end this suffering and pain. Come, Lord Jesus and take us home with You. Come, Lord Jesus and unite us again with our loved ones who have gone on before. Come, Lord Jesus and finally put Satan where he belongs—Hell. Come, Lord Jesus, so we can be together forever. All troubles, problems and anxieties remain on this side of life. Some day they will be over. Some day we are out of here. Some day we are home where we belong.

Thank you for your kindness in these difficult things I have written this week. Thank you for your encouragement. My prayer is that you have found some comfort and hope. Maybe, just maybe, we will be more compassionate, patient and helpful with those who struggle with these mental issues. Maybe, just maybe, instead of pointing fingers, we will open our arms and extend a hug to those who are hurting. Maybe, just maybe, we will include in our prayers those who struggle with mental illness and depression. Maybe, just maybe, we have removed some fears and some will be able to step out behind the curtain and masks that they have worn for years. Maybe, just maybe, we can be real with each other and find out that it’s ok to laugh and it’s ok to cry. Maybe, just maybe, we can learn to accept each other as Jesus does.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Roger