Category: Depression

Why have you abandoned me?

Ruth Kirk

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

“Why have you cast me aside?
I’m the servant of all!”

“Why have you left me alone,
And don’t hear when I call?”

“Why have you given me up,
Though my life has been hard?”

“I’ve done the best that I could,
But my way has been barred.”

“Why have you thrown me away?
Father, please heed my cry.”

“Why have you left me behind,
When I’m going to die?”

“Why have you let my hand go
As the end draws so near?”

Jesus, you suffered for us –
And we know you are here.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NIV).

Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27; NLT).

References:

He has barred my way with blocks of stone (Lamentations 3:1-9; NIV).

Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29; NLT).

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

Additional readings:

Isaiah 53
Lamentations 3
Psalm 23
Mark 4
Matthew 14
John 11

 

Like You

Ruth Kirk

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him (Mark 14:1; NLT).

Like You,
When we’re feeling alone,
And in trouble:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we’re grieving, alone,
And in anguish:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we’re dying, alone,
And in torment:
We’re still one with God.

Like You,
When we rise, Lord,
In heaven, forever:
We’re still one with God!

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-3; NIV).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

References

He began to be deeply distressed and troubled (Mark 14:33; NIV).

He was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).

Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face (John 19:1-3; NLT).

The soldiers nailed him to the cross (Mark 15:24; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Mark 15:34; NLT).

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NIV).

The life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being (Job 12:10; NLT).

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

Be sure of this: I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

No matter what happens

Ruth Kirk

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

No matter what happens,
You’re here, Lord, within me.
No matter what happens,
I walk by your side.

No matter what happens,
You share in my anguish.
No matter what happens,
I need you, my Guide.

No matter what happens,
You love me forever.
No matter what happens,
I love you, Lord, too.

No matter what happens,
We face it together.
No matter what happens,
We always get through.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

 

Waiting, alone

Ruth Kirk

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

Waiting, alone, and in silence:
We’re one with you, God.

Searching, alone, and in stillness:
We’re one with you, God.

Wrestling, alone, and in darkness:
We’re one with you, God.

Longing, alone, and in anguish:
We’re one with you, God.

Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38; NLT).

Reference

Moses went into the darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; BES).

Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day (Genesis 32:24; NKJV).

I can never get away from your Spirit! I can never escape from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you (Psalm 139: 7-12; NLT).

 

Abuse

Ruth Kirk

They all do evil and abuse what power they have (Jeremiah 23:10; NLT).

Abuse
Gives birth
To fear.

Abuse
Engenders
Shame.

Abuse
Produces
Grief and dread.

Abuse
Results
In pain.

Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them (Ephesians 6:4; NLT).

The land is full of people unfaithful to the LORD; they live wicked lives and misuse their power (Jeremiah 23:10; GNT).

 

I need you

Ruth Kirk

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13; AMP).

I need you,
And I search for you.

I find you,
And I trust in you.

I serve you,
And I follow you.

I love you,
And I long for you.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God (Psalm 42:1; NLT).

References 

My God, I trust in you (Psalm 25:2; CSB).

Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God (Psalm 86:2; NLT).

I have given you an example to follow (John 13:15; NLT).

I love you, Lord; you are my strength (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

Keep on seeking, and you will find (Luke 11:9; NLT).

 

God

Ruth Kirk

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? (Psalm 147:4; NLT).

God is strands of shining stars in space.
God is peace and mercy, truth and grace.

God is earth, and sea, and sky, and sun.
God is light and fire in everyone.

God is strength, and joy, and life, and breath.
God is pain, and suffering, and death.

God is deepest darkness filled with love.
God is every cross, and drop of blood.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called into one hope when you were called. There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).

 

Aloneness

Ruth Kirk

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

Jesus,
There is nothing
You don’t know
About aloneness.

Jesus,
There is nothing
You don’t know
About despair.

Jesus,
There is nothing
You don’t know,
About depression.

Jesus,
There is nothing
You don’t know –
That’s why you share.

Day after day he bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19; CSB).

References

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

Darkness

Ruth Kirk

Moses went into the darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; BST).

Though darkness can be hard, my child,
And stillness can be tough,

And silence can be very bleak,
And loneliness, so rough;

Yet, darkness will be turned to light,
And stillness, made so good,

And silence will be turned to bliss,
And loneliness, to love.

My God turns my darkness into light (Psalm 18:28, NIV).

I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

References

You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NLT).

I lie awake, I am like a lonely bird on the housetop (Psalm 102:7; RSV).

Each one of you is a child of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 26-8; TIB).

Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10; NLT).

It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD (Lamentations 3:26; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your s protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness (Psalm 30:11; CSB).

 

Broken and forgotten

Ruth Kirk

I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery (Psalm 31:12; NIV).

I’m broken and forgotten,
And the world is rolling on,
But I’ve been left behind,
Because I’m old, plain, sick and slow.

I’ve never won approval,
Or rewards, or love, or praise,
Or even recognition, though
I’ve tried so hard to grow.

My modest skills have faded,
And my life has been a mess;
I’m sad and disappointed, for
I’ve tried to do your will.

I longed for some approval,
And I ached for human praise,
Or simply recognition, but
I’ll trust and serve you still.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15; KJV).

References

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go (John 21:18; NIV).

You have taken from me friend and neighbor –  darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18; NIV).

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights (Habakkuk 3:17-19; NLT).