The popular TV show “Hee Haw” made this short song famous. “Gloom despair and agony on me, deep dark depression excessive misery. If it was not for bad luck I’d have no luck at all.” Do those words seem to fit better than they once did? Has it become easy to get caught up in the dooms-day predictors on TV and in the newspaper? Do you lay awake at night wondering what is going to happen next? I am afraid that many people now think that Satan is going to win, because there is so much evil in this world. We almost get to the point of Elijah, “I am the only one left”? (1 Kings 19:10)
If you were to try to make a list of all the problems we now face, you might find you do not have enough paper. The list ranges from “adultery” to “zombies” and touches every aspect of our human existence. It appears that the one thing the human race is good at doing is finding new ways to be displeasing to our Creator.
Getting caught up in these ever pressing problems can be a severe load for many to carry. Especially this is true with those that are young in their faith, often finding that the pressures of this world are just too much to maintain a proper relationship with God. This often is a factor in the development of depression. The constant emotional battle that is raging in our brain finally breaks the nervous system down and depression is a result. Depression interferes with our relationships, our productivity, our senses of well-being and can of course have a disastrous ending in suicide.
Read with me Galatians 1:4-5 (ERV). “Jesus gave himself for our sins to free us from this evil world we live in. This is what God our Father wanted. The glory belongs to God forever and ever.” Yes, Jesus came to this world to save us from the forces of evil. If we truly believe this, what does God think when we wring our hands and walk the floor and spend endless nights without sleep, because we are faced with the evil of this world? Where is our faith?
We may be reduced to eating raw carrots out of our own garden, using firewood to keep warm and suffering without proper medical attention, but we should have no worry because Jesus has freed us from all these adversities. Remember his invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)) What a glorious invitation!
We are wasting time and opportunity when we sit around and complain, “Woe is me”. Christ does not invite us to a “pity party”. He invites us to life, an abundant life. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV).
If you are depressed over the world situation, now is the time to change your focus. Exhibit Christ in everything you do, start saving the world right where you are. When you fully put on Christ in your life there is no room for “gloom and despair”. Come let us all enjoy the “peace that transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
- C. M.Callan serves as an elder of the church of Christ in Rotan, TX. He may be contacted at drcall@sbcglobal.net
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