It seems like everyone this morning is mourning Robin Williams this morning and talking about depression. On klove this morning, Craig shared how he suffered from deep depression for 10 years, and how real and dark and oppressing it is. He mentioned different things that well-meaning people say, how his mind would agree with them, but how useless those words and suggestions and ideas were in reality.
Me… I’m afraid I may have said some of those kinds of things in my life. Now, I can’t help but wonder if there was anyone praying for Robin Williams. Then my thoughts carried me further… who do I know who may be suffering – perhaps quietly – from that kind of depression? What can I do?
Of course I can pray for them, as that is the most powerful thing in any circumstance.
But this morning on the radio, Craig made what, to me, was a profound statement.
Depression is darkness. Light dispels darkness… even a lightning bug’s worth of light dispels darkness. If you live and breathe, and you have Jesus, then you have that Light.
I felt encouraged that it does not matter whether or not I would know what to say or do for anyone I love who might suffer from depression, because the Answer is Him – the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – the One who said he was the Light of the World. He is also Love, so if I give those around me my non-judgmental love, then His light can shine through me to fight that darkness. Even if I don’t know they’re surrounded by it.
Then this morning I read Psalm 84 – one of my favorite. The last two verses just seemed so FULL this morning! Especially when you consider how the sun is the earth’s source of life and light.
“For the Lord God is a sun and a shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trust in You!”
How remarkable is it that He blesses, not those who manage to walk and live and be perfect, but He blesses those who simply trust in the One who DID walk and live perfectly for us!