I’d be remiss today, being a day of pop-up thunderstorms and the potential for a much-needed general rain for the crops, in addition to it being a family holiday of celebrations; not to do a pop up unplanned post, and even on the subject nonetheless, of by we relying on the Lord, therefore we’re able to rejoice in the Lord. And besides, it is strongly connected to this week’s theme of mental health! The below is taken from Robert J Morgan’s devotional All to Jesus. Day 5 2008
Let ALL who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. Psalm 5:11
During two periods of my life, I’ve suffered bouts of depression, so I know something of its perils. According to the World Health Organization, major depression is the fourth leading cause of disability in the world, and it’s on its way to becoming the second-leading just behind heart disease. (and it’s no secrete among Christ Followers that disease of the heart is the root cause of much dis-ease today).
Depression is a complex illness, and I do not desire to oversimplify it. Yet our depression, anxiety, anger, or fear is often the byproduct of discounting the unfailing promises of God. Israel’s King David suffered periodic depression, as revealed in some of his Psalms. He often brought his heavy heart to the Lord and replenished his emotions in the endless reservoirs of God’s grace. In so doing, he developed this formula in Psalm 5:11.
Relying on the Lord >>>> Rejoicing in the Lord
That is simple enough for a wall plaque, yet it is one of the most profound equations for emotional health ever discovered: Let all those rejoice who put their trust in you.” (NKJV). The word ALL signifies that this truth is applicable to everyone on earth. We can all learn to rely, and thereby, to rejoice.
My daughter Grace once gave me figurine of a lazy frog with his hands behind his head, resting on a rock, legs folded leisurely. Knowing my penchant for worry, she thought it a good reminder of the acronym FROG: Fully Rely On God. It’s hard to be depressed when there’s a frog on your desk; and it’s hard not to rejoice when you’re fully relying on him.
NEXT UP: Back on schedule. Part III as stated prior.