We have been living through some extreme changes to our daily lives, and change can be difficult. As many states remain under some type of shutdown measure, many experts are discussing the negative effects of such changes. One headline reads, “COVID-19 could lead to an epidemic of clinical depression, and the health care system isn’t ready for that, either.”  Another article points out that for people who already suffer from depression, this coronavirus pandemic is like a double crisis, only adding more stress and worry on top of what already triggers their depression. Christians can sometimes get the false notion that depression is a sin, that feeling sad isn’t for the Christian; after all, if you have the hope of Jesus in your life, what do you have to feel sad about? Well, King David, the man after God’s own heart, certainly felt sadness; many of the early Psalms David wrote had to do with the sadness he felt at being hunted by King Saul. David, however, didn’t allow his emotions to control him, and he did not remain in the sadness.

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5)

David questioned his sadness instead of remaining it. He took action and decided to put his hope in God and to praise Him. Praising God can be one of the most powerful things we can do when we feel sad or depressed. It may feel like the last thing we want to do, but the next time you are struggling with your emotions, the next time you have the “quarantine blues,” put on some praise music and worship the Lord. Putting God in the proper place in your heart and mind by giving Him the worship He deserves will do wonders for how you feel.

Having Jesus in your life doesn’t mean you only feel the good emotions. Jesus didn’t only feel good emotions—he felt all of them and that includes sadness. The prophet Isaiah described Him as a man of many sorrows who was acquainted with deepest grief. The shortest verse is all of Scripture is about Jesus’ reaction when He reached the place where they had buried Lazarus. 

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

Jesus felt emotions just as we do, but as anyone who has been diagnosed with depression will tell you, it’s not just sadness—it can feel more like a crushed spirit.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalms 34:18) 

It is God who comes to the rescue, and we should rely on Him and hold onto His promises. Too often we take a diagnosis or feeling and we run to the pill bottle. There’s nothing wrong with medicine, but if we allow the pills and the doctors to hold a place in our lives that God should hold, if we become more dependent on the medicine than we are on God, then we are in danger of making an idol out of the pills, the doctor, or even the diagnosis.

"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises." (James 5:13)

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7)

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." (Romans 12:12)

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33) 

Do you believe that Jesus has overcome the world? Do you believe He has already overcome this virus and seen its end? Remember God is not bound by time. He goes before us and He has already overcome this world and all its hardships and evils.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4) 

This is the end we are all heading toward. Maybe this virus is a sign of those end times, maybe it’s not. No one knows the day or the hour, not even Christ, but we can watch for the signs, and either way, this virus will end. There will come a time of no more sickness, crying, death, isolation, or depression. 

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

"Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes God doesn’t remove our thorns. Perhaps you have been turning to the Lord in prayer over the debilitating emotions that overwhelm you but this thorn hasn’t been taken out of your side. The apostle Paul could relate, but he didn’t curse God for not removing the thorn in his side—he learned from it. Paul learned that God’s power works best in weakness. God knew Paul didn’t need the thorn removed, Paul only needed God’s grace. Perhaps it’s the same for you, perhaps you will deal with your diagnosis day in and day out and through your battle you can constantly point others to the Lord. People will ask how you do it and you can reply like Paul did, that it is only through the strength of the Lord that you are able to make it through each day. Perhaps your diagnosis exists so the power of Christ can work through you. 

These new changes we are all living through can be hard and have unexpected effects but we need not be discouraged. Yahweh is our God and He is with us. We do not have to be afraid for He will strengthen us in our weaknesses and He will bring a day of no more tears, no more sickness, no more quarantine, no more depression—He will overcome it all.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed