Month: August 2019

We cannot cover depression with a bandage or pretend like there are not tangible physical reasons for it. But, what we can do is use the resources we have wisely and share the hope we find in scripture.

Published on by Hope Knows Your Name Ministries1 Comment

Depression is not something that magically disappears when you slap a band-aid on it. Sometimes the last thing you want to hear is another Bible verse or an encouraging word from someone who has not walked in your shoes. We all have moments when we need someone to grab our hand and help pull us up out of the depths of despair. It’s the moments when we cannot even reach back for the extended hand that is hardest to get through. No matter what you are facing today or tomorrow, or what you went through yesterday, there is hope for you. Psalms put words to the hardest seasons of life when it’s hard to find words to pray.

I’ve been there in the dark season of depression. I know what it’s like to wonder if this thick cloud that seems to surround me will ever lift. I’ve sat in the waiting rooms, read the articles, and attempted to talk about the moments that made me question if I was ever going to be ok again.

There are a few Psalms that helped me through some of the darkest moments, and I want to share them with you. The Psalmist conveys my feelings in ways I could never verbalize on my own. I have prayed these Psalms many times while asking God to deliver me from the struggle at hand. Every time I read them, I am reminded again of how amazing and alive God’s Word is. While I love the entire chapter of each of these Psalms, I included the highlights that speak directly to my heart. For more in-depth study, read the whole chapter.

If you are encouraged by one of these, it’s your turn to hold out your hand to a friend and pull her up. Be an encourager and pass this on!

A Psalm for the fearful heart

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:1,14

Fear is gripping. It’s the feeling that starts small but grows and seems to take us down faster than we want to go. But God gives us big truths to cling to from this psalm. He is our light! He is our strength! When fear grips us, we know where to go to find light in the dark and strength when we feel depleted. It’s not that we immediately jump for joy and have miraculous physical power, but remember where the light comes from, helps lead us in the right direction when we are in the depths of the dark.

A Psalm for the waiting heart

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1-3

Seasons of depression go by slower than other seasons of life. The days linger and the nights seem never to end. But the psalmist here reminds us that God pulls us up out of that terrible place and gives us steady ground to stand on. When we feel like the night will never end, this gives us fresh hope to rise with a new song for a new day.

A Psalm for the discouraged heart

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation, and my God.” Psalm 43:5

The question why is one that is hard to answer in seasons of depression. Sometimes there is no right answer. But we can always find a solution for where to find hope. This psalm spells it out for us and walks us toward God with praise and thanks for salvation.

A Psalm for the grieving heart

“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:6-9

Grief changes us. It forces us to stop and acknowledge the pain of the world around us. Loss ushers us into an emotional cycle that we can try to ignore only to be hit harder when the next wave of grief overcomes us. Tears are not a sign of weakness, and they prove a person is letting him or herself come face to face with something difficult. The hope we hold is that God hears the cries of His children and He gives us words to help express the deep ache of a heart in grief.

A Psalm for the overwhelmed heart

“God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:1-3,10

Life is paralyzing when struggles surround us. There is no shame in being still, and this psalm gives us the very tangible value to slowing down the soul and letting the season of struggle be a gift rather than a curse. Being still and allowing God into the depths of the overwhelm is perhaps a key to finding the help we need to make it through another day.

A Psalm for the terrified heart

“Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:1-4

Life is complicated when people let us down or hurt us on purpose. But there is one person who is always steady, faithful, and true. If you are worried about what might happen next or afraid of what people will do or say, know that God is gracious, merciful, loving, and kind. He wants to hear you pray the words of the psalms.

A Psalm for the desperate heart

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:1-2

Walking through depression isn’t something I want to do, but I am thankful for the season when my heart is faint because I experience God’s presence like never before. These Psalms give me prayers to pray when I have no words. Wounds of life run deep, and sometimes, my mind is filled with fear and despair.

No matter what you are going through or how hard life may be, speak these simple psalms to the Lord today and let Him meet you right where you are. May God bless you and begin to give you a glimpse of hope.

M.M

hopeknowsyourname@gmail.com

Email us questions you may have, subjects you would like us to talk about, or, what it is you are struggling with. We want to hear from you!

Love, Ronnie and Christie Bruce

When Something Happens In You’re Life That Is Life Changing, What Do You Do?

Published on by Hope Knows Your Name Ministries1 Comment

As Ronnie and I have been going through a life changing event, our faith has really been tested. I have not been able to work the past six months due to my back surgery, now we both found ourselves out of work, here is our story. In November of 2018 the general manager contacted Ronnie about a job in Texas as the morning show host, and production manager. Ronnie was going to be able to make one of the five stations a Christian station. He was so excited to get back into ministry on the radio. He accepted the job, and left for Texas. I stayed behind in Chattanooga, TN. until our lease was up in February. While I was packing, I just had a uneasy feeling about this move. I continued to pray up until the day Ronnie came home to move me. Still, I had a nagging uneasy feeling. Two weeks after I had been there, they fired the general manager that brought us here. The new GM came in and told Ronnie he did not want any of that “religious” music played on any station. All the hard work Ronnie had put in to get a Christian station started was now in the past, and the hours of logging in Christian music, were just in vain. After a few weeks the new GM walked out, leaving Ronnie to run all five stations. Several weeks later, the new GM that walked off the job called Ronnie and told him he was coming back to work. He came in on a Tuesday and told Ronnie that they had sold the stations, and his last day would be Friday. Wow you talk about questioning God. We had so much fear, we are 12 hours away from home and family, when Ronnie finds out they had been in negotiations to sell the stations before they had brought him to Texas. We we’re beside ourselves. So, how were we going to handle this life changing event? We turned to God more than ever. We were staying in the word, and in constant prayer. We came across Psalms 27:14. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Wow…,we often run to God when we experience difficulties. But David sought God’s guiding presence every day. When troubles came his way, he was already in God’s presence and prepared to handle any test. Believers can call to God for help at any time, but how shortsighted to call on God only when troubles come. Many problems could be avoided or handled far more easily by seeking God’s help and direction beforehand.

This really made us stop to think, how could we have handled things differently? Well do you remember that gut feeling I had before we moved? That’s when we should have prayed through this more, seeking His guidance and not our own. If so, we probably would not have moved. I say all that, to say this, we need to listen to the holy spirit, when he is giving us those uneasy feelings. While your waiting on Him to show up in your situation, keep your eyes on Him. When we keep our eyes on Him, it is evidence that we’re really trusting Him. If you just “mouth” the words “I trust you” while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hollow. Instead, you can wait expectantly in hope-full trust, keeping your antennas out, to pick up even the faintest glimmer of His presence.

Psalms 30:11,12

You have turned my mourning into dancing, You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praise to you and not be silent. I, Lord my God, will give you thanks forever.

Ronnie and Christie

Joy is coming in the morning!