Yesterday, migraine made my constant hot sweats harder than usual to tolerate patiently. I wrote nothing in the morning, and felt depressed, lonely and isolated. Then, at about 4.30pm, to my great surprise, today’s prayer came to me. Reminding me of the only wise way forward, it brought a moment of relief, and even hope, to an otherwise unrelievedly grey day.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted (Psalm 25:16; NIV).
I am deeply depressed (Psalm 42:6; CSB).
Prince of Peace,
I cannot change
How lonely and depressed
I feel,
So, instead,
I turn to you,
And beg you, Lord,
Hear my appeal:
Strengthen me
To face this daily struggle,
Or my heart
Will break;
Help me to accept,
Endure,
And bear my cross,
For your love’s sake.
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).