"Thats Why They Call it the Blues"

Ps 42:5-8

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me,

therefore I remember thee

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep

at the thunder of thy cataracts;

all thy waves and thy billows

have gone over me.

8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love;

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

RSV

“What I have the used to call the blues.”

The Psalmist (David) here speaks of the condition of his soul, which he describes as “cast down” and “disquieted.” We might call it “depression” or, perhaps “sadness.”

It seems that we have developed a body of understanding about the causes and treatments for the cast down and disquieted soul. While biological science can observe a decrease in the levels of two hormones that function in the brain in a way that stabilizes a certain “mood.” It is not clear if being depressed lowers the level of this hormones or if the lower level of the hormones causes one to feel depressed. (Chicken and egg stuff)

Some connect depression with the level of stress in our lives. This stress is caused by our failure to satisfy our own expectations and/or the expectations of others. We learn to adapt to stress by shutting down. This is not something we do consciously. It is a maladaptive behavior we learn from our parents who learned it from their parents. If they adapted poorly to stress, we will turn in on ourselves and, bingo, feel tired and sad – with unwanted thoughts of despair or hopelessness.

Depression is not one thing. It varies in its severity, its duration and the frequency in which it comes. Some are always depressed, while for others depression comes, stays for a while, then leaves. There is one theory that certain seasons of the year, winter blues, and climate patterns will trigger a low mood. It is called a fancy name “seasonal affective disorder.”

There are many other theories concerning what triggers or causes depression - too many to deal with in a devotional. Suffice it to say, these unpleasant feelings and moods visit most of us from time to time. Many of us are seriously affected by depression – that is, it significantly impacts our relationship with God, ourselves and others.

David models a healthy approach to his depression by first naming it in prayer. He speaks first to his own soul and gives it a “good talking to.” Then he reminds himself of God’s past faithfulness in delivering him in times of trouble. It is as though he is saying – “If God is the same today as he was in my past, there is surely hope for me.”

There are many reasonable and wise things one can do while depressed. It might include seeking medical and psychological advice and treatment. It might include an increase in physical exercise and forcing yourself to move through your day – one minute after another. It might include seeking the support of others (like your family, friends, and pastor).

Abide with me—fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)

Winter is a disease.

Alfred de Musset (1810–1857)

If a person at the time of these darknesses observes closely, he will see clearly how little the appetites and faculties are distracted with useless and harmful things and how secure he is from vainglory, from pride and presumption, from an empty and false joy, and from many other evils. By walking in darkness the soul not only avoids going astray but advances rapidly, because it thus gains the virtues.

Saint John of the Cross (1542–1591)

 Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on.

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene—one step enough for me.

Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890)

Reconcile yourself to wait in this darkness as long as is necessary, but still go on longing after him whom you love. For if you are to feel him in this life, it must always be in this cloud in this darkness.

The Cloud of Unknowing (1370)

Those who are the happiest are not necessarily those for whom life has been easiest. Emotional stability is an attitude. It is refusing to yield to depression and fear, even when black clouds float overhead. It is improving that which can be improved and accepting that which is inevitable.

James C. Dobson (1936– )

When you see your appetites darkened, your inclinations dry and constrained, your faculties incapacitated for any interior exercise, do not be afflicted; think of this as a grace . . . God takes you by the hand and guides you in darkness, as though you were blind, along a way and to a place you know not. You would never have succeeded in reaching this place no matter how good your eyes and your feet.

Saint John of the Cross (1542–1591)