Do you know that the same circumstances that depress you and make you lose hope can inspire faith? It’s all about knowing an ageless truth. What is this truth? God is at work behind the scenes even when you can’t see Him in action. From the Scripture above, we see that although Job doesn’t see or sense God, he knows that God is still at work. Sometimes, what keeps you from going over the edge is the awareness of how God works.
Job 23:8-9 (ERV) says,“If I go to the east, God is not there. If I go to the west, I still don’t see him. When he is working in the north, I don’t see him. When he turns to the south, I still don’t see him.” Here, we see that although Job doesn’t see or sense God, he knows that God is still at work. Sometimes. What keeps you from going over the edge is knowledge of how God works.
Joseph’s story is a fascinating one. He was betrayed by His brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by his master’s wife, and thrown into prison. Joseph was always innocent and faithful, yet evil things continued to happen to him. Yet, later in his story, we see that all those misfortunes positioned him rightfully for success. Take a look at what Joseph told his brothers inGenesis 50:20 (ESV): “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
The above statement shows that no matter how bad a situation is, God is at work to make it favor you. Yes, God wasn’t responsible for the negative things in Joseph’s life. But He used them to exalt him. What does this teach us? That God is always working. We don’t have to see Him working, however, we can believe and keep our hope alive. John 20:29 (KJV) says, “…blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
In her book, “HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION,” Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv. wrote, “As you struggle with life circumstances and endure pain in that deep, dark trenches of life, you’ll often wonder if God will work even this together for good. Be assured that He does, not only for your interest but also for the good of others. God uses these seasons to humble you, so you learn how to rely on God’s grace through difficulty.
Also, rely wholeheartedly on Him, trusting His leadings so you can successfully scale through this period and live according to the will and plan of God for your life. You should know that you can always see a glimpse into the light during your darkest moments. You need to realize that life does continue because you will come to appreciate the good things God did in you and through you when the darkness passes. The pain is transient, only there for a purpose. Learn to see God working in every situation you find yourself in.
Do you want to learn more about how to overcome depression and live a life full of laughter and fulfillment? Then get this life-transforming book, HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION by Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv.