Sunday, May 2, 2010

A Heavy Heart

      Last week our town was touched by an overwhelming number of suicides and attempted suicides. Families were left in despair as they sought to answer the question, "why?" But there were no answers, only more questions. There were two that touched my life more than the others because they touched the lives of people I know. As I watched the rippling effect of loss and suffering move through the families left with so many unanswered questions,  I heard God's word's of truth spoken within my spirit-

          "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

      I was reminded of the struggle we all face at low points in our lives. When we are overwhelmed and the enemy begins whispering his lies. I have been there myself at times, and I recognize his voice. They are his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy us. Jesus gives us this promise - "I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

       When we're feeling down and questioning the importance of our lives, may we be reminded of who we are to God and that He sent His Son to give us a life filled with abundance. An abundance of his love, joy, and peace.

A Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

      Depression fell on me like a heavy blanket. Not the warm and comforting kind, but one that pressed in and held me down. A crushing heaviness formed in my chest, pushing my heart up into my throat, making it hard to swallow. Dread of everything, yet nothing in particular. Anxiety flooded in bringing feelings of danger; but the enemy remained elusive, unidentified.

      Fear entered next, walking in the shadow of dread; arriving so closely together, giving the appearance that they were intimate friends. As I began to entertain them, even slightly, I fell deeper into despair. Forgetting that they had no real reason for being here, I imagined one.

      Before long there was a line of guest at my mind’s door waiting to get in; past failures, mistakes, shame, embarrassment, regret; they were all there. I recognized their gloomy faces, they had visited before. Feeling overwhelmed and outnumbered I turned to grasp at something that would break my fall as I went down into the pit of despair.

      It was then I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror on the wall, reminding me of who I am. There on top of my head sat a crown of purest gold my Father had given me when I was born into His family. My Father is a King. I did not wear a heavy blanket, but a beautiful white robe He had made for me out of someone else’s righteousness – His son’s. His name was written on my forehead, identifying me as His own, a reminder that I would always belong to Him.

      Thankfulness began to fill me, praise leaped from my lips at the thought of Him. I could hear his angels singing and I joined them. Soon the heaviness was gone, and in its place I wore a garment of praise. The reality of Him was stronger than imagination, and my unseen enemy fled. He could not stand in the presence of my Father’s glory; he could not tolerate His praise. Joy, peace, love, hope and gentleness became my new guests; forgiveness my closest friend. Mercy came and grace. They comforted me and restored me to my rightful place as a daughter of the King.

          “…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;..” Isaiah 61:3

4 comments:

  1. this post is awesome and John 10:10 is one of my favorite scriptures. Thank you for posting this. Have a great week. Sarah

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  2. I am so sorry that your community is dealing with this type of grief. My heart and prayers go out to you. I had a friend from church commit suicide many years ago. It was devastating. I am sure many other readers can relate to this post. Let us remind each other, and all those that we come in contact with that God loves them and wants them to live abundantly.

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  3. So true, when we are a child of the King we need to remember this and try to help others find this security that we have in Jesus. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  4. Thank you for this post. You have no idea how much I neded it.
    God bless

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