When You Are Depressed and Discouraged

In time as this we need to stay focus on the Lord our God and His Word for direction and guidance. God’s Word can shine light into the dark areas of your life. God is love and He is willing to pick you up when you fall down. The Lord is good and His mercy and grace is available to forgive your sin and cleanse of all unrighteousness.

No matter how dark your way in life may be, choose to believe in God’s promises of hope for those who place their trust in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) When you are discouraged and overwhelmed due to setbacks and demands in this fallen world know that the Lord our God is with you.
Your heavenly Father will enable you to stand in every trial and challenge you may be experiencing at this very moment. So rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice!

Scripture Verses for Meditation

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:1-2, 7)

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
(Proverbs 28:13)

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood Jesus, …. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19, 22)

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:15, 17-18)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.” (Isaiah 43:2-3)

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
(John 14:1-3)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:7-8)

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John 14:27)

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that You are always with us even through our trials. Help us to rejoice and stay in daily fellowship with You no matter how heavy our burdens may be. Your right hand will save us and Your mercy endures forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

All Scriptural quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Contributor for Moments of Meditation and Scriptural Readings; email: cburns@naavets.org

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