“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do
not let the sun go down on your anger”
(rf. Eph.
4:26)
How often have we heard sermons
about rightly communicating our anger and making sure that we express our
negative emotions in a constructive fashion, especially before the day is out,
so that bitterness is not planted in our hearts (rf. Eph. 4:31; Heb.
12:15). I myself have preached and taught this truth many times
over the years. Yet, something that I have not realized until very recently is
that, though these truths are easily stated, they can be quite difficult to
practice, especially if one is introverted by nature and subject to outward
pressures and expectations that preclude expressions of negative emotions. Such
a combination can, in fact, become lethal and can turn one’s anger inward,
packaging those negative feelings one on top of another, leaving one depressed,
suffering at the hands of constant discouragement and despair. If anyone has
ever experienced this as well, he or she understands the paralysis of action,
the loss of joy, the detriment such heartache has on the closest of
relationships as well as the toll it takes on one’s faith and hope for the
future. Because these feelings run deep in the soul, one who suffers such a
malady cannot just “snap out of it” as out of a bad dream. No, redemption takes
the hand of God Who shows unconditional love for the vulnerable nature of the
one hurting and Who is willing to take the time necessary to minister His
healing balm of love and restoration until the wounds are healed.
What then can be done by those who
walk along beside these wounded vulnerable ones in need? First of all, and
above all, pray for them that God’s Presence and peace would be a constant
source of comfort to their hearts as He brings healing to them (rf. Php.
4:6-9). Second, be a source of encouragement to them without
putting unnecessary pressure or expectations upon them as to when they should
get or be better, how they should act, etc. Depression is a real struggle to
overcome, sometimes in need of medication to assist in the treatment. Often
Christians do not view mental or emotional maladies with the same seriousness
as physical ones, causing those who suffer from them to feel as “less than”
Christians for being so afflicted. This perspective also prevents them from
coming forward to acknowledge their suffering, allowing their pride to become a
barrier that keeps from the healing they need and require. Those who are
strong, rather, must uphold those who are weak at present, whether physically,
emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, so that, when the time comes and we are
in the place of need, someone will be there to help us. This is how the body of
Christ is designed to operate (rf. II Cor. 8:14).
There are a number of believers in
Christ who struggle with depression. Thankfully, there is always hope because
the Lord we serve is ruler of all things, including our hearts and minds. He
has the power to “create…a clean
heart…and renew a steadfast (right) spirit”
(rf. Ps.
51:10) within us, removing the anger that threatens to destroy us.
As He does, He also gives us “a future
and a hope” (rf. Jer. 29:11), to remind us, in
spite of our feelings, that we as His children are, indeed, an important part
of a much bigger picture He is completing. We need only relinquish ourselves,
our lives, our hearts, our dreams, especially, our internal anger, to Him in
order for us to begin to see what He will do with us to make this beautiful
portrait a reality.
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