Growth in Trials
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
“All heaviness of mind and melancholy come from the devil: . . . Whosoever you are, possessed with such heavy thoughts, know for certain, that they are a work of the devil. God sent His Son into the world, not to affright, but to comfort.” Martin Luther, Table Talk
During Luther‘s life, he suffered from a condition he called Anfechtungen, which we would probably call depression. Luther understood that this condition was brought on by Satan as a means of oppressing him. At one point, in 1527, he wrote that he felt as though he were being “tossed to and fro in death and in hell.” He believed he had lost Christ completely while he was drowning in misery and despair. However, prayers from his wife and dear friends sustained him. God’s mercy guarded Luther’s soul from death and hell, even though doubts plagued his mind. We don't have to feel ashamed if or when depression touches our lives. Rather, like Luther and others, the mercy of God will deliver us. Prayers of our friends to God may indeed lift us up!
We observe sadness as an epidemic in our modern world. Broken relationships, isolation, and anxiety abound. What is all this a result of? While there is a natural cause to depression, we see the effects of people refusing to live in the peace and comfort Christ has won for us. Christ, by His work on the cross and ever-certain presence in our lives, gives us a reason to be happy and at peace. We can find fulfillment and joy in our lives, even in the midst of sadness, by serving Him in all that we do. True happiness lies in imitating our Saviour. Self-sacrificial love and service to others are answers to our melancholy. Let us think of our neighbor and his needs before our own.
Lord, keep us from the devil’s influencing us towards despair and misery. Give us good cheer as we trust in you for forgiveness and life. Help us to imitate You as we care for our neighbors and think less of ourselves. Amen.