Practical Calvinism

I am reading a book on depression. As I read from it this afternoon I had two thoughts. The first is that I've never been depressed. Down times? Yes, but never depressed. And the second was that if ever there was a time when I should have been depressed it was when Linda died. But I wasn't. After worship my first Sunday back at Faith Reformed after Linda's death I said a couple of things to the congregation. One of them was this: 'God's plan for my life is good and wise and loving.' I came back to that phrase again and again, repeating it to myself and believing it. It is clear to me that being able to hold on to that simple but biblical truth made the difference. It was a great protection to my soul. I hurt – a lot – but I wasn't depressed. I wasn't mad at God. I wasn't confused by what was going on, even though I didn't know what God was up to. I had not used that phrase before Linda's death, but it was a Godsend, tailored for that time in my life. The Spirit gave me that gift so that I could keep on going.

Hope

I just read this and it struck a chord.

Hope, as you will find, is a skill that takes practice. There is no verse, pill, or possession that will make it magically appear. Reciting psalms that you have claimed as your own is part of that practice.

Ed Welch

Depression: A Stubborn Darkness