If you feel depressed you are not alone. Depression is a sad reality that is a piece of the fallout from sin in the world. The good and perfect design of God was void of the overwhelming and sometimes debilitating presence of depression. Jesus tells us how he came to bring human beings life and life to the fullest (John 10:10). In the same verse Jesus makes clear the desire of Satan – to kill, to steal, and to destroy. C.S. Lewis in his book, The Screwtape Letters, brings to life how Satan is not concerned with how he accomplishes his goal, but only if it is accomplished. For example, God desires humans to be in community with one another and designed people (yes, even the introverts) to go through life alongside others. Satan desires to kill, steal, and destroy anything which would assist this to happen. Satan will tempt you with lies telling you the world is too much to handle and you are better off scrolling on TikTok for hours alone in your room. He might even encourage you to do good things like studying, but he will do everything he can to make you believe your identity is dependent on your grades. The more stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts are produced the better. This is Satan’s strategy – to capture your attention and place it anywhere but on Christ. The enemy will try and convince you God is far off in the distance, not understanding what you are going through. This is not true because we know, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV). The God of the Bible is one who draws near to those feelings overcome by feelings of fear and depression. The famous German theologian Martin Luther said, “God is most present hidden within our sufferings.” This truth should bring about great comfort to the one who feels weary from the pain they have endured. The Bible calls God many names including the Suffering Servant and Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53). We can find comfort in knowing God is not distant and removed from us, but rather can sympathize with the struggles we encounter (Hebrews 4:14-16). God choosing to put on flesh and encounter the same pain we do leaves us with a Savior who not only gets us, but gets what we go through. The beautiful thing is that Christ promises to be with you through all of it (Matthew 28:20). So you are in good company when you find yourself suffering or feeling weighed down by the weight of the world – for this is the place which Jesus walked before you.
Written by Chase Matthews, Edited by Lydia Parker