By, Dayna Spear Guenther
“…man of sorrows, acquainted with grief…” (Isaiah 53)
The sob rose in my chest. I sucked in my breath. My familiar friend Anxiety, along with Loneliness and Sadness, seemed to settle heavily upon me. Depression threatened.
I hated the physical pain in my chest. I hated the weakness I felt. I wanted comfort, yet I wanted to hide. If I told anyone, would they be disgusted with me? I was ashamed I wasn’t “more spiritual.”
It was true, I needed to cry, not swallow the sorrow back down to a lump in my throat. It would just return another day. My Jesus made emotions for release, to assess what’s wrong, to give me a chance to be vulnerable with others.
When in sadness, I know three things:
1.) God wants to be my comfort.
2.) I must release the sadness to Him. (If I don’t, I will cling to it.)
3.) With an act of my will, I must turn my thoughts to praising Him for His goodness.
Scripture tells me that Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53). He is touched by the feeling of my infirmities (Hebrews 12). I experience deep intimacy with Him through the avenue of suffering (Philippians 3). But I must choose by my attitude and course of action.
Suffering seems to be something we want to avoid at all costs. I’ll admit, I hate it!
My spirit, which is redeemed and changed, craves intimacy with my Father God. His Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I am His child (Romans 8:16), and I naturally desire to be close to Him.
Sad to say, I have spent months and years at a time — even as a Christian! — with anxiety ruling me. I know Scripture. I have countless passages memorized. How could this time be different than before?
I cried. I listened to audio Bible. I listened to encouraging godly music. I cried out to God, honestly expressing my emotion. I asked Him to give me grace for the emotional (and physical) pain or ease it. Then I voiced my praise to Him for never leaving me, even when I could not feel His presence. I praised Him that I had the promise He would never leave me (Hebrews 13:5)! I thanked Him for that promise and for comforting me, even as I was sobbing out my tears.
At that point, I sensed His arms around me, and as I turned my mind towards Him, His greatness, His promises, His Person, my pain eased.
Will the anxiety show up again? I am highly sure it will. I will take responsibility for my health. There are physical factors that with time and consistency help me with anxiety and depression, such as a clean diet, drinking enough water, taking electrolytes and minerals, getting good sleep and exercise. I also do not discount times when prescription medication is helpful.)
Whenever anxiety happens again, I pray God enables me to remind my mind of Truth (Romans 12:2)! God’s Truth contains so many “exceeding precious promises”! There is no problem, depression, or anything that can trump His Promises!
You too can determine ahead of time that whenever you begin to struggle with anxiety, depression, or ________ (you fill in the blank), that you will turn to Him, releasing the emotion to Him, and then turning your heart and your voice, even through your sobs, to the praise of Him Who is everything you need!
Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour
And life more abundant, and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace!
DAILY TIP
He is acquainted with grief. He is touched. Believe it and praise Him for it!
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