I have a mental illness: Living with persistent depressive disorder in Christ.
Published 2023-11-01
On reflection I've decided to add the following Psalm 42 as a meditation for those in depression. It has been known to help those like ourselves, whatever the cause, whatever the reason for our downhearted spirit. You might want to open your Bible to also read Psalm 43 a companion and follow up to 42 which uses some of the same expressions.
The message of the Psalms is clear: Our Creator and Redeemer hears the prayers of his children and will deliver them; He does so in the wisdom of his own time and for our best good. He is full of "steadfast love". We may put our faith in him for he is always faithful to us.
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.
PSALM 42
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation
and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
— Psalm 42:1-11 ESV
All Comments (19)
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You need not be, say, or push yourself to be more than that which you already are, sir. A good man with good intention is enough. There is nothing to prove. You are already saved. Be at peace, friend. Wishing you well. Rest in your heart and know thyself to be benevolence beneath the mind, beneath the emotions. Love to you.🙏
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We need more teachers in the church who are open about mental health. Everybody struggles with it nowadays. I have my own experiences with thinking something is wrong with me because if I kmownand love Christ..I don't need medication. In my experience I don't realize how much meds help until I quit taking them. I'm about to leave to go see my therapist. She doesn't believe in Christ and so now I think I'm going through the mental health again to help someone find Christ themselves. If I were 'fixed' or 'healed' I wouldn't have sought help and I wouldn't have come into contact with ppl who need to know him
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I think you were chosen at this time to be a light. They say God chooses those he knows will be strong enough to pull through this particular experience of consciousness. I see it as a humbling blessing. Had you had all the best of this illusion you most likely would be lost in the sauce like most everybody at this time . Thankyou for having the bravery to put yourself out there I have horrible social anxiety and can't even make a video . This may even be building you back from within. I'm excited to see how this grows. God Bless.
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I am grateful that you posted this video. God bless you and me he let the light shine upon your life.
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Thanks for sharing. Im right there with you brother. 😢
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Praying for you pastor Jan. 🙏
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God bless you and heal you in jesus name . Amen
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Most people seem to jump at the chance for meds. I don't believe in them. Just natural things . And these videos will resonate out reaching others for years to come. This is very inspiring
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Oh and Pastor..please teach your ppl more on addiction too. We need more brutal honesty in the church. I too am a recovering addict. Thankfully, I've found a church that is open about addiction and has meetings for us. Pastor...your mental health and addiction experiences need to be shared with believers. It gives us hope
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I hope you feel better Pastor and I hope you open up to the church about mental health so ppl realize they aren't alone
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You matter. You mattered to me, today. Thank you.
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Sir, I’m only 20 minutes into your video and you have described me to perfection. I have struggled with these same things for years and I also retreat into YouTube and or video games. Right now I’m playing a game and listening to this video. I have three children and I feel like I’m a horrible mother. I have gotten significantly better than I was 10 years ago, but I’m not where I want to be. I just keep praying that God will help me and I do the best I can! I’ve went to therapy and taken all the medication, but I don’t believe in medicine either for myself. I do think some people benefit from medicine, but not me. I also believe it’s probably spiritual because I wasn’t always like this! Anyway thanks for sharing your situation and I will pray for you! If you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Take care and God Bless!!
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the two witnesses suffered with it too why they call them the basket case of summer fruitcake you see them you know the end is near. like in lamentations it was brutal
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Still here !
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read kjv all day psalms out loud! read all 150 out loud and se if its gone!!!
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Have you tried changing your diet and exercising?
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How was your childhood and teenage years?
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maybe we can anoint you with oil of gladness laughter heals me heres a two witness party trick laughter Daniel got a song about the lions in the den. Daniel in the lions den Said hey there lions Let me scratch your chin Dont eat me i am your friend Come lie down keep me warm The lions purred and yawned so wide Daniel put his head inside Wrestle round scratched their heads So they wouldnt kill him dead Now they are forever friends Bad men then came tumbling down Lions ate them before they hit the ground Gobbled up every one Licked their lips and they said So delicious was that head Wow hahaha i laugh my head off every day. The Holy Spirit is creative and all the prophets had some skills. Some can talk to animals. I call them pet prophets. Also they are daredevils you can see. Noah, Mrs Noah, Adam, Daniel, and the two witnesses are pet prophets and can talk to animals.
