God comforts the depressed ∙

God comforts the depressed ∙

God, who comforts the depressed – 2 Corinthians 7:6

2 Corinthians 1:2-5

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

Throughout his life, he grappled with severe depression, sinking into a profound despair that led him to battle the dreadful temptation of ending his own life. Could such a person possibly serve the Lord effectively? Do severe depression or personality disorders disqualify someone? The answer is a resounding no!

Hudson Taylor arrived in China in 1854 with a vision that defied the norm. Unlike most Protestant missionaries who remained in coastal cities, he ventured into the vast, uncharted inland provinces. On June 25, 1865, he founded the China Inland Mission, leading thousands of Chinese to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ.

Taylor introduced innovative concepts, some of which faced harsh criticism. He insisted that missionaries live and dress like those they sought to reach, fully immersing themselves in the local culture.

He also recognized that single women were entirely capable of managing far-flung mission outposts independently. This policy proved remarkably successful, and by 1882, the China Inland Mission boasted 95 single women and 56 wives. Taylor’s vision revolutionized modern missions, allowing women to excel in virtually every aspect of service. By 1898, traditional gender roles were largely abandoned in many evangelical missions. Women, often barred from ordained ministry at home, found new opportunities to serve abroad, with hundreds volunteering eagerly, shaping a new history.

When faced with difficult circumstances, loss, or blocked paths, people often become despondent and depressed. Does this prevent the children of the King from serving the Father? Not! It is common for God’s children to face challenging circumstances as they fulfill His service, just as Paul did.

2 Corinthians 7:5-6

5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.
6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us.

Amidst Paul’s struggles, something extraordinary unfolded. He was encouraged by the Father Himself, the ultimate Comforter, who stands by us to console, uplift, and encourage.

2 Corinthians 1:3 God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

REFLECT & PRAY

In our moments of struggle, the Father is often working to bring about perspective transformation in our lives.

Father, help me to see that through my struggles and discouragements, You are reshaping my outlook. You are actively renewing my mind and guiding me towards change.

INSIGHT

The Greek word translated as downcast, distressed, downhearted, or depressed is tapeinos. Tapeinos connotes low-lying or lowly. As an emotional state, it means to be downhearted, lowly in spirit, or depressed. It refers to downhearted people filled with melancholy and despair. It is an experience familiar to many, reflecting our fallen human nature. Even children of the King have faced such sorrow.

However, Scripture offers a profound promise: the Father provides comfort to those who are downhearted.

In 2 Corinthians 7:6, we read that God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us . . ..

The Greek term translated as encouraged or comforted is parakaleo. Parakaleo connotes a broad semantic range of ideas to urge, implore, encourage, exhort, call to, or for. It comes from two Greek words para – “alongside” or “to the side of,’ and kaleo – to “call,” “aid,” “help,” “comfort,” or “encourage.” It suggests the act of alleviating sorrow or distress, giving emotional strength, cheering up, encouraging, comforting, or consoling. It refers to the effort to alleviate sorrow or distress and to provide emotional support.

What may initially seem distant and detached is, in truth, deeply personal and immediate. Who has been so discouraged that they sank into despair and depression? Paul himself is a prime example. According to William R. Baker, Paul’s deep concern for the Corinthians led him into depression, a sentiment woven into his very life story. Despite his relentless pursuit of the upward call in Christ Jesus, even Paul experienced moments of being downcast due to his trials. Sorrow and repentance, grief, and joy are often entwined in our lives.

From this challenging context, Paul introduces a profound principle. He distinguishes between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Godly grief leads to repentance and salvation, leaving no regret, while worldly grief results in death. The critical difference is that godly grief inspires a change of heart, whereas worldly grief ends only in remorse, as noted by Kruse.

The Corinthians demonstrated their true repentance by taking every possible action to rectify the damage caused by their careless actions. They developed a deep hatred for the sin they committed and were driven to atone for it, reflecting a genuine transformation (Barclay).

Conversely, worldly sorrow lacks true remorse. It doesn’t stem from regret over the sin itself or the hurt caused to others but rather from resentment at being caught. Those experiencing worldly sorrow are likely to repeat their actions if they believe they can evade the consequences.

Godly sorrow is a feeling of sorrow that acknowledges the inherent wrongness of the act, not just the fallout. It hates the sin itself. We must ensure that our sorrow for sin isn’t simply regret over being caught or exposed. Instead, our sorrow results in a desire to abandon the sin entirely (Stanley).

Ephesians 4:21-24

21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

The Father uses confrontation that leads to grief and sorrow to bring about perspective transformation. He does not take pleasure in causing grief for His children. Instead, He delights in the fact that suffering and sorrow can lead to repentance. Paul’s heart reflects the Father’s heart; he rejoiced because the people were saddened enough to repent. They changed their minds and took action to correct the situation.

Children of the King often find themselves trapped in their history, repeatedly reliving it. Gaining awareness of this inherited legacy is the first step in breaking the cycle. Undergoing perspective transformation renews the mind and frees us to live differently.

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© Dr. H 2024