Daily Devotional for Monday. May 4, 2009 Have you missed any of our devotionals? Remember they can be found in the Archive section of our Website
http://www.gospelines.com "Dealing with Despondency" In 1835 a man visited a doctor in Florence, Italy. He was filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. The doctor examined him and found that he was in prime physical condition. Concluding that his patient needed to have a good time, the physician told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. "You must go see him," the doctor advised. "Grimaldi is the world's funniest clown. He'll make you laugh and cure your sadness." "No," replied the despairing man. "He can't help me. You see, I am Grimaldi!" Depression is: An ancient problem. It's not something that just happened this week. From the very beginning, people have been depressed. The psalmist asked the question to his own soul, "Why am I so depressed? Why am I so cast down?" Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher, had a life filled with depression. Here's what Spurgeon said about depression. "Before any great achievement, some major depression usually comes upon me. My success appalled me. It was just then, when the curtain began to rise upon my life's work, that depression set in, and the Lord was preparing me for a larger blessing in my ministry." Here are a few ways to deal with despondency: 1. Understand that even when God is silent, He is working in our lives. 2. Regardless how bad things may seem at the time, never stop talking to God. 3. Claim the promises of God. Jeremiah said, "I'm still going to pray. I'm still going to claim his promises. He called me and I said He would be a spring of living water, and I'm going to believe that if I keep preaching, it's going to show up." Sure enough, Jeremiah preached another 20 years. He preached 40 years total. Remember, I talked about Spurgeon's depression? Look what else he said: "Depression forces me to go back to the promises of God's faithfulness. Here's what I've found. God was preparing me for something greater. The cloud is darkest before dawn breaks. It overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing. A John the Baptist heralding the near coming of my Lord's richer blessing for my life." GospeLines Prayer: Father, when I am led into the wilderness of despondency, remind me that You are present. It is in those times that I need you more and seek you less. Awaken me to the healing which only you can provide. Amen and Amen O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
