depression

How do you tend a troubled soul? Psalm 6

/ Anthea Kotlan / 2 Comments

When it rains, everything seems wet

Dark clouds descend, obscuring my view

The rattle of raindrops muffles the sounds of life

And I am cocooned in sadness

“A Weathered Heart” by Anthea Kotlan

This poem reflects a few aspects of depression. If you have ever experienced a season of depression or if someone you love has dealt with depression, some of this might resonate with you.

The book of psalms is a proven place to find respite and empathy when I am dealing with difficult emotions or challenges. The authors of the psalms, particularly David, poured out anguish, fear, anger, jealousy, and joy.

What if I read Psalm 6 through the lens of depression?

Depression can be like a relentless enemy seeking out its target in the dark of the night and remaining heavily upon the victim for days, weeks, months, or even years.

David writes in Psalm 6 about his struggles with a “troubled soul.” This psalm features both lament and repentance.

1 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long?
(Psalm 6:1-3 ESV)

Depression causes physical pain and false condemnation. Sufferers can lose perspective and become overwhelmed by the length and breadth of their misery. Time slows to the consistency of molasses. Healing of the body and the heart seems far out of reach.

4 Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
(Psalm 6:4-5 ESV)

The psalmist cries out to God in desperation. Depression causes a loss of hope and the ability to see any future. However, David declares God’s steadfast love over himself amid his pain.

God will deliver those who cry out to Him because of His steadfast love.

6 I am weary with my moaning; every night, I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
(Psalm 6:6-7 ESV)

Depression zaps energy and loads the heart down with grief, making it hard to sleep at night (verse 6). David’s couch (or bed) is drenched in tears at night. Then, in the middle of the night, isolation crowds in, causing someone to feel completely desperate. The darkness outside disorients the soul even more.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.
(Psalm 6:8-9 ESV)

In these verses, David declares over himself the truth that God hears his weeping and his pleas. God also accepts David’s prayers. To know that you are listened to and seen is vital in a season of depression.

As a friend, are you willing to practice being present with a friend who is suffering? Can you go and sit in the hard times without minimizing or dismissing their concerns? This is the hard and brave work of the Kingdom of God.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
(Psalm 6:10 ESV)

David declares how God settles scores and turns enemies away in this final verse. God protects our reputations and reverses expected outcomes. He redeems.

Prayer

Lord, I give thanks today because you hear my prayers and pleas. You know my heart and mind when I become overwhelmed with crushing sadness. Even my darkest thoughts are safe in your hands. You are my refuge in overwhelming times of grief. In the night, you provide the light of hope, and I will run to you again and again.

When my loved ones feel crushed by sadness, help me to be willing to draw near and be present with them. Give me the strength to sit in sorrow. Even when I don’t have the answers, let me be an agent of your love in the dark of the night.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

**Sometimes depression arrives in our lives due to sad and difficult situations. However, depression can also come about due to much more profound and complex issues requiring medical intervention. If you or a friend are struggling with depression, it is always wise to seek a complete evaluation from your doctor or a licensed counselor. Isolation and shame only delay the ability to seek long-term sustainable solutions.

How Do I Lament in the Midst of Joy? Psalm 77

/ Anthea Kotlan / 3 Comments
A woman sitting looking away in sadness.

Sometimes a day carries both joy and sadness in overflowing measures. I had a chance to witness an incredible event today with family and friends at our church. My niece was baptized. Somehow, in a moment, I could only see my sister was not there to share something we would have been beaming from ear to ear over. A crescendo of joy flowed through my heart. Then deep sadness and longing for a person who has been gone for over thirty years arrived on the scene. I suppose I will always miss her. When I see her smile on her daughter’s face or hear her grandchild’s giggle, it is an echo of what we are all missing. Even the ones who have not ever met her here on earth.

Psalm 77 is a psalm of lament suitable for whenever my heart is heavy. Using these verses as prompts, I can pray through a road map directing me to a place where I have space to express my real feelings, ask questions and find peace. I must travel through this valley. If I fail to continue on the journey and try to bypass feeling my feelings, the heaviness will likely ambush me later. Then anger might spew forth, causing damage to an innocent victim. My doubts carried for miles may weigh me down and cause overwhelming fatigue. Finding a place of peace with God is a journey best taken in a psalm of lament as a soul-tending practice. Each verse of this psalm offers a handhold to safeguard my forward progress through grief.

1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 
3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

As I declare verse one aloud, I am reminded that God does hear me. He hears me in the night, in the day of trouble, and even when my soul refuses comfort. As I remember God, I am overwhelmed and struggle to find words to express all I feel. I try to deeply think about God, but my mind can’t grasp it all and becomes faint at the effort. Finally, at the end of verse three, I see the word “Selah.” Scholars cannot agree on exactly what the word means, but it appears to put forth the idea of pause and being still. So, at this moment, I choose to be still before God and just be with Him.

Prayer Pause

Lord, help me to settle my mind simply on you and kneel before you in surrender and be still.

(On a very practical note, I have to set a timer to do this because otherwise, I spend the entire time wondering if I should be done yet.)

4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search.
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

Have you ever been so sad, anxious, or angry that you couldn’t sleep? Yet, the picture of God holding my eyes open feels profoundly true in those moments. It is as if He is saying to me, “Seriously, we need to talk.”

As I respond to Him, I might well begin to review my own history and search my heart. Then questions fill my mind, just like the ones the Psalmist begs in verses seven, eight, and nine. All this is so much to process that I will need to pause once again before the Lord and ask Him to help me see a new perspective.

Prayer Pause

Lord, as we meet in the dark of the night and the escape of sleep eludes me, I come before you and consider our history together. Lord, search me and allow me to ask you the probing and challenging questions. Are you bringing something good out of all this? How long until you answer my requests? Have you given up on me? I surrender again all my rights to be in the know. You know all the things so that I don’t have to carry that burden. Thank you. I now pause to be thankful for You.

10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

Psalm 77:10-15 ESV

Verse ten reveals a bend in the road where the journey brings me to a new place. I will choose to rejoice in the right hand of the Most High. I give thanks for God’s hand that has rescued me, guided me, and provided everything for my life. I will choose today to remember the deeds of you, LORD. I am in awe of Your wonders. I will decide to ponder all Your work and mighty deeds. Your way is holy and set apart for me. The path You ask me to take is for Your higher purposes. Others serve gods who are nothing like You. Not only do You work wonders for all of Your people, but You also make known Your might and strength and power in public on purpose, so no one can say they do not know. God, You redeem Your people and your daughter in the family line of Jacob and Joseph because of Jesus’ work on the cross. You made me part of your forever family. All of this is worthy of my meditation today.

Prayer Pause

As I remember all You have done for my loved ones and me, I am in awe. I see how You have been so gracious for generations. Your ways are holy and beyond my own limited understanding. Help me to grow into greater trust and obedience as I follow you more faithfully. Whenever doubts come at me, help me to remember Your deeds. Help me to remember Your endlessly redemptive work in my life and in this world.

16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.

18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77:16-20 ESV

Just in case I might forget Your mighty works, You are so kind to display them to me every single day. At the end of each day, you reveal a stunning sunset, and then the following day, you provide a magnificent sunrise. You take me through the green valleys and up onto the mountain majesties. Whenever I see wild storms, lightning displays, and water directed and controlled by You, I know that You hold it all together. Thank you for moment-by-moment displays of Your power. I am always in need of reminders.

Prayer Pause

Thank you, Father, for allowing me to live in a place where I see Your handiwork on display all day and every day. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, give me fresh eyes to see it. Let me not miss a demonstration of Your might and power. Thank you for your generosity. You are willing and able to give daily demonstrations that leave me in awe. You parted the Red Sea to save your people. You will carry me through whatever difficulties and bring me safely home and into your eternal promised land someday. Please sustain me in my journey with you and bring peace and healing to my grieving heart. Amen

Why not try praying through a psalm today? The psalms are the original collection of prayers and devotions. Jesus himself often pulled from them in prayer. If you do, let me know how it goes. I would love to hear what you discover.