10% of Americans suffer from depression and it seems the stats do not vary that much for believers. The difference for believers of course, is in our hope. God made us emotional beings and those emotions are often impacted by the realities of living in a broken world. There is nothing shameful about depression! You might not suffer from depression but you know someone who does. Psalm 13 not only give us a place to identify with King David as he suffered depression, but the Psalm also offers a place to identity and rest in the victory offered to us by Jesus. I have shared with you before that I suffered for three years during High School with severe depression. During those dark years something deep in me led me to believe that this would not last forever. It was as though I was grasping the hand of the Holy Spirit as he led me down a long tunnel. The first bends were dark and cold, but eventually I could feel a breeze of assurance that the darkness would not last and the final turn revealed a glorious light and I have been walking in that light ever since. John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes ONLY to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus revealed that he came ONLY to offer life and life to the full. I want to talk about that life this Sunday knowing that many of you will be deeply encouraged as we come around this beautiful Psalm.
I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.
Pastor Mitch
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