Depression and Mercy

Bible reading: Jonah 4

Focus verse: "And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he didn't want to obey and so he went in the opposite direction.  During a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, he prayed to God and then was rescued and given a second chance.  He finally obeyed. He delivered God’s message to the people of Nineveh and said "“Forty days from now, Nineveh will be destroyed!”.  Because the people repented, God’s mercy reached out to all people who turned to Him and God didn't destroy the people of Nineveh. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah got mad and then depressed: “Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3  And God had mercy on Jonah and grew a plant for shade to ease his discomfort.  God brought comfort to other depressed and downcast heroes of the faith including David, Elijah, Moses, Jeremiah and Job.  God understands our burden and provides mercy. 

Experiencing anxiety, hopelessness, fear, depression, doubt, and worry doesn’t mean that you are less of a Christian.  It simply means you are human. But if you are in Christ, you have the authority, by the power of the Spirit, to let the Lord speak louder than the feelings that you are experiencing.  Let God’s Word answer your prayers with His forgiveness, restoring peace, joy, sound mind, truth, love, hope, and trust.  Do you need to be lifted today?  Lay yourself before God and give him your burden in exchange for His.  He will carry your heavy one and you can carry his light one.  "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30  God understands our burdens and provides mercy.

~Page Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Additional verses:

James 4:7-10 says ^"Therefore submit, [fall down, confess, humble] yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” Psalm 130:5

“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63