Tuesday, December 14, 2010

a fresh awareness of HIS presense…

in fighting depression in your life, get a fresh awareness of GOD's presence in your life. 1 kings 19.11-13 (niv), the LORD said, “go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. after the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. after the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. and after the fire came a gentle whisper. when elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and [he knew it was the LORD] went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

GOD said, elijah, i've got something for you to see. elijah stood there and GOD put on a fireworks show. first HE did a wind, then HE did an earthquake, then HE did a fire. it was showing HIS tremendous power as a reminder to elijah. the interesting thing is it says that GOD wasn't speaking to elijah in any of those. what really got elijah's attention was the still small voice, the gentle whisper.

the fact of the matter is, GOD usually speaks to us in stillness and quietness. not in some big dramatic demonstration of fire or power. GOD reminded elijah that HE was still right there beside him.

if you're depressed, get your bible and go out to nature, a quiet spot and read the bible. get alone with GOD and just let GOD love you. let HIM speak to you. let HIM meet your needs. let yourself feel HIS presence.  that is the greatest anti-depressant there is.  get a fresh awareness of GOD's presence in your life.

when we're depressed, we think GOD is a million miles away. you say, “i feel HE is so HE must be” but HE's not. HE's still just as close to you when you don't feel HIM as when you do.

just a thought from the front porch…

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