Given By Judith Johnson August 6, 2017
Today’s text can be a bit dark. It is a lament. At some point in our lives, we have all felt the need to lament. In modern terms, we feel depressed. These verses from the Bible are called the “cheer up” verses. They reassure us that God is with us and it is going to be OK. We must dig deeper in these darker passages to find that ray of hope. It can be a comfort to know you are not the only one who has these feelings. It is saying it is OK to not be OK. During the past year, many of us have flocked to safe spaces to help with the feelings of anxiety and grief. It is estimated that 7% of the U.S. population has had an episode of depression. We see the effects of depression every day, we just don’t always know it. People are fighting a invisible battle every day. We are not talking about amplified sadness. It is a mixture of emotions; hopelessness, self-loathing, isolation, anxiety, guilt, sadness, and emptiness. It is made harder to treat due to many medical health policies that do not cover or offer only a little coverage. There is also the social stigma. What can we do as Christians? We love, support, and tell them, it is OK to not be OK.