MY MESSAGE THIS MORNING HAS TO DO WITH A TEACHING ON THE EMOTIONS UNDER ATTACK AND SPECIFICALLY THE EMOTION OF DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION. BEFORE I DO THAT LET ME REVIEW A LITTLE FROM LAST WEEK.

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,

stablish, strengthen, settle you.

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN YOU CAN REST ASSURED, YOU WILL BE UNDER ATTACK FROM TIME TO TIME. PETER SAID A LITTLE BIT LATER, "DON’T THINK IT STRANGE CONCERNING THE FIERY TRIALS THAT COME YOU WAY CAUSE WE’LL ALL HAVE THEM. BUT WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE UNDER ATTACK IN THE AREA OF THEIR EMOTIONS, MANY CHRISTIANS MAKE WRONG DECISIONS. THE DECISIONS WE NEED TO MAKE AS A CHRISTIAN ARE ONES THAT ARE PROMPTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE WORD OF GOD AND BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES. WHEN WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR EMOTIONS ARE UNDER ATTACK WE NEED TO RIDE OUT THE STORM UNTIL WE REGAIN OUR SPIRITUAL EQUILIBRIUM BEFORE MAKING ANY MAJOR OR EVEN MINOR DECISIONS IN OUR LIFE. WE MUST BE LED BY THE SPIRIT AND NOT BY OUR EMOTIONS IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES! YOU’D BE SURPRISED TO KNOW HOW MANY CHRISTIANS LIVES ARE REGULATED BY THEIR EMOTIONS INSTEAD OF BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN FACT, THE DISTINGUISHING MARK BETWEEN THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN AND THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE CHRISTIAN IS THAT THE LATER HAVE THEIR EMOTIONS UNDER CONTROL WHILE THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN IS CONTROLLED BY THEIR EMOTIONS. SO LET’S LOOK IN PS.42 AS AN OPENING TEXT FOR REVIEWING THE EMOTIONS UNDER ATTACK.

Ps 42:3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they

continually say unto me, Where is thy God? (KJV)

Ps 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in

me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with

them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and

praise, with a multitude that kept holiday. (KJV)

Ps 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou

disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet

praise him for the help of his countenance. (KJV)

Ps 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach

me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Ps 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou

disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall

yet praise him, who is the health of my

countenance, and my God. (KJV)

WHEN ANY PART OF OUR SOUL IS OUT OF BALANCE OR OUT OF

CONTROL IT IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ATTACK OR ALREADY UN-

UNDER ATTACK. ONE OF THE PRIMARY TARGETS OF AN ATTACK IS

THE AREA OF OUR EMOTIONS. OUR EMOTIONS EMIT A WIDE SPEC-

TRUM OF FEELINGS WHICH CAN EITHER BE POSITIVE OF NEGATIVE:

POSITIVE: JOY, HAPPINESS, CHEERFULNESS, EXCITEMENT

ELATION, STIMULATION, LOVE COMPASSION, KINDNESS,

ZEAL, PREFERENCE, EXPECTATION, PRIDE AND ETC.

NEGATIVE: DISCOURAGEMENT, DEPRESSION, SADNESS, SORROW

GRIEF, MELANCHOLY, MISERY, MOANING, DEJECTION,

CONFUSION, FEAR, REMORSE, COLD AND WITHDRAWN,

JEALOUS, HATE, ENVY, BITTER, UNFORGIVING.

OUR FEELINGS COMPRISE SUCH A VAST AREA OF OUR LIVES AND

FOR MOST NEW CONVERTS THEY ARE DOMINATED OR CONTROLLED BY THEM. THE FACT IS, THAT WE DO FEEL THINGS IN OUR SOUL, EITHER GOOD OR BAD. NOW, ITS NOT WRONG TO HAVE EMOTIONS, BUT IT IS WRONG TO HAVE THEM OUT OF CONTROL. IN THE PAST, THE CHURCH WAS WIDELY LED BY THEIR EMOTIONS. BECAUSE OF THIS ERROR, MANY CHRISTIANS WERE TAUGHT THAT IT WAS UNSPIRITUAL TO FEEL ANYTHING, OR WHEN WE DO FEEL SOMETHING TO LIE ABOUT IT AND SUPPRESS IT. BUT GOD DESIRES FOR YOU TO HAVE EMOTIONS BECAUSE HE CREATED YOU WITH THEM. BUT HE DOES NOT DESIRE THAT YOU LIVE UNDER THE CONTROL OF YOUR FEELINGS BUT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD DOES NOT

WANT TO DESTROY OUR EMOTIONS BUT RATHER, HE WANTS TO SANCTIFY THEM AND ENHANCE THEM AS A TOOL THROUGH WHICH OUR HUMAN SPIRIT CAN FLOW TO GIVE GODLY FEELINGS.

Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's

lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (KJV)

A CHRISTIAN WHO LIVES BY HIS EMOTIONS IS VERY UNSTABLE.

ONE MINUTE YOU CAN BE HAPPY AND THE NEXT MINUTE YOU CAN BE DEPRESSED. ONE MINUTE YOU CAN BE FRIENDLY AND KIND AND THE NEXT MINUTE YOU CAN BE ANGRY AND MAD. ANY SUDDEN SHIFT OF OUTWARD STIMULI CAN ALTER YOUR EMOTIONS AND CAUSE THEM TO GO INTO CHAOS. EVERY LITTLE DISTURBANCE IN THE LIFE OF AN EMOTIONALLY DEPENDENT OR CARNAL CHRISTIAN WILL CAUSE HIM TO LOOSE HIS SPIRITUAL EQUILIBRIUM.

ILLUSTRATION: EMOTIONAL CHRISTIAN: A POND OF SAND AND MUD:

AS LONG AS NO ONE DISTURBS THE WATER IT LOOKS

CLEAR, BUT LET IT BE AGITATED FOR A MOMENT

AND ITS TRUE MUDDY CHARACTER APPEARS.

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

A CHRISTIAN WHO HAS ALLOWED HIS EMOTIONS TO COME UNDER THE SANCTIFYING INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE PROMPTED TO FEEL WHATEVER THE SPIRIT IS LEADING AND INSPIRING. WHEN A CARNAL CHRISTIAN FEELS JOY IT USUALLY IS OUT OF CONTROLLED EXCITEMENT WITH GIGGLING, AND HYSTERICAL LAUGHING. WHEN A MATURE CHRISTIAN FEELS JOY IT IS BALANCED WITH THE OTHER FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S CHARACTER. THERE IS PEACE, GENTLENESS, LONGSUFFERING, SELF-CONTROL, PATIENCE, KINDNESS MEEKNESS INVOLVED WITH HIS JOY WHICH BALANCES IT AND REGULATES IT. ONE QUALITY OF A SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN IS THE GREAT CALM HE MAINTAINS UNDER EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE NO MATTER HOW HE IS PROVOKED TO ANGER OR EXCITEMENT.

A CHRISTIAN WHO HAS HIS EMOTIONS UNDER CONTROL WILL CONDUCT HIS LIFE ON THE BASIS OF PRINCIPLE AND NOT FEELING. THOSE PRINCIPLES ARE THE RESULT OF THE HEARING OF THE WORD OF GOD. A SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN WILL BE MOTIVATED BY FAITH, BY HIS CONSCIENCE, BY HIS INTUITION AND BY THE WORD OF GOD. THE CARNAL CHRISTIAN WILL BE MOTIVATED TO WORK OR ACT BY WHAT HE FEELS. THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN WILL WORK AND ACT OUT OF OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD REGARDLESS OF HOW HE FEELS OR THINKS. TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT IS TO WALK UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND CONTROL OF SPIRITUAL LAWS OR PRINCIPLES. A PERSON WHO LIVES BY HIS EMOTIONS CARES NOTHING FOR PRINCIPLE OR FOR WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS BUT ONLY FOR WHAT HE FEELS. IF THE WORD OF GOD HAPPENS TO AGREE WITH THEIR PRESENT EMOTIONAL STATE THEN THEY WILL OBEY, IF NOT THEY SIMPLY REJECT IT.

1. NEVER MAKE ANY DECISION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY

STRONG EMOTION: THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT CANNOT BE

HEARD.

2. NEVER USE YOUR EMOTIONS TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD FOR

YOUR LIFE.

3. NEVER RELY ON YOUR EMOTIONS AS A TRUE TEST OF GOD'S

LOVE.

4. NEVER USE EMOTIONS TO MANIPULATE AND CONTROL OTHER

PEOPLE.

5. NEVER USE FEELINGS TO PROVE THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD

IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE.

AS A CHRISTIAN, YOU SHOULD NOT VIEW THE ABSENCE OF EMOTION AS A BAROMETER OF SPIRITUALITY. ONE OF THESE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS IS DEJECTION. EMOTION COOLS AS WELL

AS STIRS. WHEN EMOTION AROUSES A MAN HE IS ELATED, BUT WHEN EMOTION CALMS A MAN DOWN HE FEELS DEPRESSED. DRIVEN BY HIGH EMOTIONS A CHRISTIAN CAN MAKE MANY ERRORS. KNOWING THIS, THE SINCERE BELIEVER WILL TRY TO SUPPRESS HIS FEELING ALTOGETHER. AND NOW HE CONCEIVES HIMSELF AS BEING REAL SPIRITUAL. BUT WHAT HE DOES NOT REALIZE IS THAT THIS IS A REACTIONARY IMPULSE TO A NEGATIVE EMOTION THAT BRINGS HIM INTO A STATE OF DEPRESSION.

1. THIS COLDNESS AND LACK OF GODLY EMOTION CAUSES THE

BELIEVER TO LOOSE INTEREST IN GOD'S WORK.

2. IT WILL CAUSE HIM TO LOOSE INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL THINGS.

3. IT WILL CAUSE HIM TO WITHDRAW FROM INTIMACY WITH CHRIST.

4. IT WILL CAUSE HIM TO LOOSE BROTHERLY AFFECTION FOR

OTHERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

5. IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE LORD TO SHOW MERCY AND COM-

PASSION AND OTHER POSITIVE EMOTIONS

IN THIS STATE THE SPIRIT MAN IS IMPRISONED BY THESE NEGATIVE

EMOTIONS AND IS POWERLESS TO FLOW OUT IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MINISTRY TOWARDS OTHERS. IN FACT THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE ATTACK IS TO ALTER YOUR DECISION TO SERVE CHRIST AND OTHERS BY SELF PITY AND SELF EXAMINATION. NEVER LOOK AT YOUR FAILURES AND SINS APART FROM THE BLOOD OF JESUS THAT ATONES FOR THEM OR DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION WILL BE INEVITABLE. THE BLOOD OF JESUS SPEAKS OF THE FORGIVE-NESS THAT GOD OFFERS TO US.

WE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD SEES OUR END FROM THE BEGINNING AND CONTINUES HIS RELENTLESS WORK OF CHANGING

US INTO HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS WHICH SPEAKS TO US ABOUT HIS CHARACTER AND LOVE. NOW THAT’S GOOD TO KNOW BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY TIMES WE FEEL DISCOURAGED AND DEPRESSED AND WANT TO GIVE UP BUT HE THAT HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFECT IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST. JUST AS ALL CHRISTIANS WILL EXPERIENCE DEMONIC ATTACK SO ALL CHRISTIANS WILL EXPERIENCE DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION FROM TIME TO TIME. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT ITS NOT A SIN TO FEEL A BAD EMOTION? ITS WHAT YOU DO WITH THOSE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR OBEDIENCE OR DISOBEDIENCE TO CHRIST. SO THIS MORNING I WANT TO SPEND THE REMAINDER OF OUR TIME LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN OVERCOME DEPRESSION. NOW I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU ANY CLINICAL INSIGHT LIKE A PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST COULD, I’M GONNA GIVE YOU SOME SCRIPTURAL INSIGHT SO THAT YOU CAN OVERCOME DEPRESSION BY THE WORD OF GOD.

DEPRESSION IS AN ANCIENT PROBLEM, ITS NOT A NEW THING THAT JUST OCCURRED IN THE FAST PACED, HIGH STRESSED 90’S IN WHICH WE LIVE. FROM THE FALL OF ADAM AND EVE IN GENESIS, PEOPLE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH DEPRESSION. DAVID, THE GREAT KING OF ISRAEL AND A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART, PRAYED IN OUR OPENING TEXT…"WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL. THE MESSAGE BIBLE SAYS, "WHY AM I IN THE DUMPS, WHY AM I SUFFERING SO BLUE, SO DEPRESSED SO CAST DOWN." APOCRITIES

THE ANCIENT PHYSICIAN LIVED IN A CULTURE WHERE DEPRESSION WAS RAMPANT AND WROTE A TREATY ON THE MELANCHOLY SPIRIT. SO DEPRESSION IS NOT NEW ITS AN ANCIENT PROBLEM. SECOND-LY, DEPRESSION IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM. IT AFFECTS ALL RACES, ALL, CULTURES, ALL PEOPLES, ALL PLACES AND AT ALL TIMES. ITS EVERYWHERE. READERS DIGEST OFFERED FIVE LITTLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HANDLE A BAD MOOD OR DEPRESSION. IT SAID, "FEEL-ING LOW, TRY THESE MOOD LIGHTENING TECHNIQUES AND MOST OF US DON’T DO ANY OF THEM, BUT HERE‘S WHERE WE CAN START IN THE NATURAL.

1. EXERCISE, THAT’D LEAVE HALF OF YOU OUT RIGHT THERE.

2. USE COLOR. COLOR CAN BE A NUTRIENT FOR THE MIND. IT CAN

HELP BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY.

3. LISTEN TO MUSIC.

4. EAT RIGHT. IF WE DON’T EAT THE RIGHT FOOD WE CAN HAVE A

CHEMICAL IMBALANCE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO DEPRESSION.

5. LIGHTEN UP, DON’T TAKE LIFE SO SERIOUSLY.

6. THINK POSITIVE.

I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WORLDLY PERSPECTIVE ON HOW TO HELP YOU OVERCOME DEPRESSION SO I WANT TO LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET SO THAT WE CAN GAIN SOME SPIRITUAL INSIGHT ON HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION.

NOW, RECENTLY THERE WAS A NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SURVEY RE-

PORTED 14 MILLION PEOPLE IN AMERICA ARE CHRONICALLY DEPRESSED; 15% OF THESE ARE SO BAD THAT THEY WILL ATTEMPT SUICIDE. 20 PERCENT OF OUR CHILDREN ARE AFFLICTED WITH CHRONIC DEPRESSION, SO IT’S A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM.

AND THEN THIRD, DEPRESSION IS NO RESPECTER OF PEOPLE. IT TOUCHES THE RICH AND IT TOUCHES THE POOR. IN 1986, REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN EAST FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHO SUFFERED A LONG TIME WITH A THYROID PROBLEM COMMITTED SUICIDE. THEN YOU REMEMBER THE IRAN CONTRA SCANDAL . ROBERT BUD MCFARLAND, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT REAGAN, JUST A FEW HOURS BEFORE HE WAS TO TESTIFY TO THE SENATE SUB-COMMITTEE, TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. SO DEPRESSION IS NO RESPECTER OF PEOPLE. THE GREAT STATESMAN WINSTON CHURCHILL GAVE GREAT HOPE TO ENGLAND AND EUROPE DURING A DARK TIME WHEN HITLER TRIED TO TAKE THE WORLD AND BROUGHT A BLOOD BATHE ON EUROPE, ENCOURAGED HIS NATION WITH THOSE GREAT MESSAGES ON I’LL NEVER GIVE UP. WE’LL FIGHT EM ON THE BEACHES, WE’LL FIGHT EM ON THE LAND, WE’LL FIGHT AND FIGHT AND NEVER GIVE UP. BUT AFTER THOSE MAJOR ADDRESSES OF ENCOURAGEMENT HE WOULD SINK INTO DAYS AND WEEKS OF DEEP DEPRESSION. CHARLES SPURGEON, THE GREAT THEOLOGIAN, WHOSE BOOKS AND COMMENTARIES ARE ON THE SHELVES OF EVERY PASTOR IN AMERICA SUFFERED WITH CHRONIC BOUTS OF DEEP DEPRESSION.

THE BIBLE SPEAKS CANDIDLY ABOUT MAJOR DEPRESSION IN THE LIVES OF GREAT MEN AND WOMEN. MOSES ASKED GOD TO TAKE HIS LIFE. JOB WISHED TO DIE. ELIJAH PRAYED FOR GOD TO TAKE HIS LIFE IN A MOMENT OF DEPRESSION. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAW MIRACLES, PEOPLE WHO HAD A DEEP AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. SO I AM WANTING YOU TO HEAR THIS MORNING THAT DEPRESSION IS COMMON TO EVERYBODY. YOU’RE NOT BY YOURSELF. YOU’RE NOT SOMETHING SPECIAL OR PECULIAR. EVERY BODY, RICH AND POOR, FAMOUS AND NON-FAMOUS, DISCOVERED AND UNDISCOVERED, IN ANY COUNTRY OF THE WORLD, IN ANY CLASS, IN ANY CULTURE AND AT ANY TIME SUFFER FROM ATTACKS OF DEPRESSION. BUT OF ALL THE BILE PEOPLE WHO SUFFERED FROM ATTACKS OF DEPRESSION I WANT TO FOCUS ON JERIMIAH THIS MORNING. HE’S WRITING PORTIONS OF THIS BOOK LIKE HE’S NEVER EXPECTING ANYBODY TO READ IT. IN FACT, IT SOUNDS LIKE HIS PERSONAL DIARY OF WALKING WITH GOD THROUGH A DIFFICULT PERIOD IN HIS LIFE. WE’RE GONNA PICK IT UP THIS MORNING IN CHAPTER 20 OF JEREMIAH.

8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper:

their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them:

for unto thee have I opened my cause.

13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.

15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning,

and the shouting at noontide;

17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

FROM THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE WE CAN SEE TWO REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS CAN BE ATTACKED IN THE AREA OF DEPRESSION.

1. THE FIRST ONE IS FOUND IN VERSE 7: WHEN WE FEEL GOD HASN’T COME THROUGH FOR US. WE GET DEPRESSED WHEN WE FEEL THAT GOD HAS LET US DOWN IN SOME WAY. IN VERSE 7 JEREMIAH IS DEPRESSED BECAUSE HE THINKS GOD HAS LET HIM DOWN OR DECEIVED OR TRICKED HIM IN SOME WAY. PSYCHOLOGIST TELL US THAT THE ONE THING THAT IS COMMON IN ALMOST ALL KINDS OF DEPRESSION IS DISAPPOINTMENT. THE TRIGGER FOR DEPRESSION IS A DISAPPOINTMENT. YOU HAD A HIGH EXPECTATION BUT IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. THE JOB YOU KNEW WAS YOURS DIDN’T COME THROUGH. THE LOAN YOU KNEW WAS YOURS WASN’T ACCEPTED. SOMETHING IN MARRIAGE, IN A RELATIONSHIP, SOMETHING IN YOUR JOB OR SOMETHING IN YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH THAT YOU KNOW GOD PROMISED DIDN’T HAPPEN WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD AND IT SELDOM DOES. DO ANY OF YOU HAVE AN UNFULFILLED EXPECTATION OF WHAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN BUT IT DIDN’T? SURE, ALL OF US HAVE AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO TRIGGER AN ATTACK OF DEPRESSION. JEREMIAH FELT THAT WAY BUT WHY DID HE FEEL DECEIVED? JEREMIAH WAS PREDESTINED FROM HIS MOTHER’S WOMB, IN JER.1 TO BE A PROPHET TO THE NATION.

Jer 1:4-10

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained

thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy,

and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

SO RIGHT AWAY WE CAN SEE THAT GOD HAS PLACED A GREAT CALLING AND FUTURE UPON HIS LIFE. AND THEN IN CHAPTER TWO GOD TELLS HIM, I GOD AM LIKE A LIVING SPRING OF WATER, BUT ISRAEL IS LIKE A DRY PARCHED GROUND. THEY ARE DRINKING WATER FROM CISTERNS, OR WELLS THAT HAVE NO WATER. THEY’RE LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. THEY ARE DRINKING EVERYTHING AND YET THEY ARE DRY AND UNFULFILLED AND UNSATISFIED. THEY ARE BARREN AND THIRSTY, LOOKING FOR WATER IN THINGS THAT CAN’T QUENCH THEIR THIRST. BUT JEREMIAH YOU PREACH THE WORD FOR GOD AND AS YOU PROCLAIM IT THE LIVING WATER WILL BEGIN TO FLOW, LIFE WILL BEGIN TO COME AND THINGS ARE GOING TO BEGIN TO BLOSSOM. SO JEREMIAH, LIKE US, THINK THAT GOD IS GOING TO BEGIN TO BLESS US AND BLESS HIM IMMEDIATELY. CAN YOU SENSE HIS HIGH EXPECTATION?

NOW PEOPLE MAY GIVE YOU A PROPHECY OR A WORD THAT REALLY GETS YOU EXCITED. FIRST OF ALL IT MIGHT NOT BE FROM GOD AND IF IT ISN’T ITS NOT TRUE AND ITS NOT GONNA COME TO PASS NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU FAST AND PRAY. IF GOD DIDN’T SAY IT THEN ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN. SO JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU RECEIVE A PERSONAL PROPHECY THAT YOU DON’T GET LEAD ASTRAY WITH A LOT OF EMOTIONAL EXPECTATION CAUSE YOU’RE SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR DEPRESSION WHEN IT DOESN’T COME TO PASS THE WAY YOU THOUGHT OR AS FAST AS YOU THOUGHT. SO WHEN A PROPHECY COMES, PUT IT ON THE SHELF AND WAIT UNTIL GOD INITIATES IT BUT YOU CONTINUE TO BE ENCOURAGED BY IT AND YOU CONTINUE TO OBEY GOD. GOD TOLD ABRAHAM THAT HE’D BE A FATHER BUT AFTER THE YEARS WENT BY AND HIS BODY GOT OLDER AND PAST THE AGE OF CHILDBEARING HE AND SARA STILL DIDN’T HAVE A CHILD. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT WAS PRETTY DEPRESSING FOR THEM. BUT THEY KEY IS THAT THEY WAITED UNTIL GOD INITIATED IT AND IT CAME TO PASS.

SO HERE JER.20 WE SEE THAT JEREMIAH IS FEELING THAT GOD HAS LET HIM DOWN AND HE’S FEELING A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED AND DEPRESSED. NOW BY THE TIME WE GET TO JER.20, JEREMIAH HAS BEEN PREACHING FOR 20 YEARS AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING. SO HE’S GETTING A LITTLE WEARY IN PREACHING CAUSE NOTHINGS HAPPENING. SO HE SAYS HE FINDS GOD LIKE A DECEPTIVE BROOK AND LIKE A STREAM THAT DOESN’T HAVE WATER. SO JEREMIAH IS SAYING, GOD I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA BE LIKE A LIVING STREAM WHEN I LAUNCHED MY MINISTRY BUT I’VE BEEN AT IT FOR 20 YEARS AND SEEN NO RESULTS. NOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT JUST SOUND DEPRESSING AND WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE AND WE HAVE ALL BE DISAPPOINTED AND DEPRESSED AS A RESULT OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES. IN FACT YOU CAN ALMOST COUNT ON AN ATTACK LIKE THIS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A GENUINE COMMISSIONING FROM THE LORD. WHY CAUSE GOD’S NOT GONNA SEND YOU OUT AS AN INCOMPLETE VESSEL. NO HE’S GONNA PERFECT YOU FIRST AND THAT MEANS DELAYS, DETOURS, SETBACKS AND ONE CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER. AND WE FIND OURSELVES COMPLAINING TO THE LORD THAT’S IT’S JUST NOT FAIR HOW HE’S TREATING US. WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO AGREE WITH THE SCOTSMAN WHO SAID "I’M NOT SURPRISED HOW FEW FRIENDS YOU HAVE CONSIDERING THE WAY YOU TREAT THE ONES YOU GOT". YOU SEE, JEREMIAH WASN’T ACCEPTED IN HIS DAY. JOHN WESLEY WAS ACCEPTED IN HIS DAY AND EVEN JESUS CAME UNTO HIS OWN AND HIS OWN REJECTED HIM. SO JUST BE PREPARED TO WALK WITH GOD FOR A WHILE BEFORE HE BEGINS TO BRING YOUR PROPHECY TO PASS IN YOUR LIFE.

1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.

LISTEN WE’VE ALL EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND DEPRESSION CAUSE IT HAPPENS TO EVERYBODY. IT HAPPENS TO GOOD PEOPLE AND IT HAPPENS TO BAD PEOPLE. GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE AND BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE AND IT JUST DOESN’T SEEM FAIR AND ITS NOT BECAUSE ITS GOD. WE HAVE ALL FELT DEPRESSED AT ONE TIME IN OUR LIFE AND THE REASON I KNOW THAT IS BECAUSE ALL FLESH IS THE SAME. WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER POINT: YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION CAUSE IF YOU THINK YOU ARE THEN YOU SINK DOWN IN SELF PITY THAT YOU’LL NEVER, NEVER GET OUT OF. BUT IF YOU KNOW THIS IS COMMON TO EVERYBODY, INCLUDING THE REAL GREAT THEN YOU CAN WAIT OUT THE STORM CAUSE THIS TOO SHALL PASS. YOU CAN HAVE MOMENT OF DISCOURAGEMENT, YOU CAN HAVE DAYS, MONTHS AND EVEN YEARS BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ITS NOT PERMANENT, THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE.

2. THE SECOND REASON FOR DEPRESSION CAN BE TRACED TO SOMETHING JEREMIAH EXPERIENCED REPEATEDLY IN HIS LIFE AND THAT WAS REJECTION. EVERYTHING WE DO RIGHT, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE PREPARE IS REJECTED. LOOK IN 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT JERRY IS NOT THE LIFE OF THE PARTY HERE AND THAT HE’S GOT A PRETTY BAD MESSAGE FOR THE PEOPLE. EVERY TIME HE SPOKE IT WAS VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION. HE WAS A PROPHET OF DOOM BUT NOT BECAUSE HE WAS A NEGATIVE MAN BUT BECAUSE THAT WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD FOR A DISOBEYING NATION THAT HE WAS COMMISSIONED TO SPEAK TO. AND HE SPOKE THAT MESSAGE FOR 40 YEARS AND HERE HALF WAY THRU HE’S EXPERIENCING A LITTLE BURN OUT, DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION BECAUSE OF THE REPEATED REJECTION, DERISION AND MOCKERY HE’S FEELING FROM THE PEOPLE.

10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

Jer 20:10 (Living)

10 Yet on every side I hear their whispered threats and am afraid. "We will report," they say. Even those who were my friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. "He will trap himself," they say,

"and then we will get our revenge on him."

JEREMIAH’S GOT TO BE FEELING A LITTLE PARANOID BY NOW. EVERY TIME HE WALKS INTO A CROWD PEOPLE ARE POINTING AT HIM AND TALKING ABOUT HIM. ALL OF HIS FRIEND ARE SAYING JUST WAIT UNTIL HE SLIPS UP AND WE’LL SAY I TOLD YOU SO. NOW THAT’S A HORRIBLE STATE TO BE IN: REPEATED REJECTION. EVERY TIME JEREMIAH GETS UP TO PREACH HE IS DERIDED ALL THROUGH HIS MESSAGE. HE’S NEVER WELCOMED TO THE PARTY AND WHEN THEY SEE HIM COMING THEY SO "OH HERE COME DEATH AND DESTRUCTION." NOW THAT WORKS ON YOU AFTER 20 YEARS AND SO JEREMIAH IS FEELING A LITTLE DISCOURAGED AND DEPRESSED AND SO WOULD YOU AND I. IN FACT, HERE IN JEREMIAH 20 HE IS THINKING TWICE ABOUT THE MESSAGE GIVEN TO HIM AND HE BACKS UP, WITHDRAWS AND CONCLUDES THAT HE’S NOT GONNA DO THAT ANY MORE.

9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

HERE JEREMIAH IS SAYING THAT HE’S NOT GONNA PREACH DOOM AND GLOOM ANY MORE SO HE TRIES TO HOLD IT IN. BUT WHEN HE DOES HE FEELS WORSE THAN IF HE HAD GIVEN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. HE SAID THE WORD’S LIKE A FIRE IN MY BONES. SO HE’S DAMMED IF HE DOES AND HE’S DAMNED IF HE DOESN’T. SO HE’S REPEATEDLY REJECTED AND FEELS DEPRESSED AND MISERABLE.

HERE’S A CASE OF CLASSIC REJECTION: CHARLIE BROWN LOOKS AT LINUS AND SAID, I JUST RECEIVED A REJECTION SLIP FROM THE PUBLISHER. AND LINUS SAID, WELL CHARLIE THAT HAPPENS TO ALLOT OF MANUSCRIPTS. AND CHARLIE RESPONDED, YEA BUT I DIDN’T SUBMIT ANYTHING.

SOMETIMES REJECTION COMES FROM OUR FAMILY AND IN OUR CLOSEST FAMILY CIRCLE AND THAT HURTS THE MOST OF ALL. WHEN ELIZABETH BEART MARRIED ROBERT BROWNING HER PARENTS DISAPPROVED OF THE WEDDING AND SO THEY DISOWNED HER. AND FOR EVERY WEEK IN TEN YEARS ELIZABETH BEART BROWNING SENT A LETTER TO HER PARENTS TELLING THEM HOW MUCH SHE LOVED THEM. TEN YEARS LATER SHE RECEIVED A BASKET OF LETTERS FROM HER PARENTS THAT SHE HAD WRITTEN TO THEM THAT WERE NEVER OPENED. CLASSIC REJECTION AND IT LEAVES US FEELING DISCOURAGED AND DEPRESSED.

P.T BARNUM COINED THE PHRASE: " A SUCKER IS BORN EVERY DAY." BUT THAT PHRASE WAS SOMETHING BORN OUT OF HIS OWN LIFE’S EXPERIENCE. ONE OF HIS CLOSEST FRIENDS TOLD HIM ABOUT A POTIENT HE HAD CREATED THAT WOULD GROW HAIR AND IF HE WOULD INVEST HIS MONEY IN IT HE WOULD BECOME FABULOUSLY WEALTHY. SO P.T. BARUM GAVE HIM ALL OF HIS MONEY AND THE MAN TOOK ALL OF HIS MONEY AND LEFT FOR EUROPE AND WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. WE ALL KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE REJECTED BY FRIENDS. A COACH WHO HAD A LOSING SEASON RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL. IT READ, THE LAST TRAIN IS LEAVING AT 11:00 O’CLOCK, BE UNDER IT.

NOW BACK IN JEREMIAH CHAPTER 8, LET’S SEE HOW JEREMIAH RESOUNDS.

1. HIS FIRST RESPONSE IS ONE OF BITTERNESS IN VERSE 14:

14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my

mother bare me be blessed.

JEREMIAH IS NOT VERY HAPPY HERE IN FACT HE IS DEPRESSED AND VERY BITTER ABOUT IT. HE’S NOT ONLY CURSING HIS BIRTH DAY BUT HE’S CURSING HIS CALLING BECAUSE GOD CALLED HIM WHILE HE WAS YET IN HIS MOTHER’S WOMB. DEPRESSED PEOPLE ALWAYS LAMENT THE DAY THEY WERE BORN.

15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning,

and the shouting at noontide;

2. THE SECOND RESPONSE JEREMIAH MADE IS FOUND IN VERSE 15

AND THAT IS ANGER. AND THEN IN VERSE

Jer 20:17-18

17 because he did not kill me at my birth! Oh, that I had died within my mother's womb, that it had been my grave!

18 Why was I ever born? For my life has been but trouble

and sorrow and shame.

3. NOW JEREMIAH IS NOT ONLY BITTER, ANGRY BUT ALSO SUICIDAL. NOTICE THAT WHEN DEPRESSION HITS IT HAS A TENDENCY TO BRING CONFUSION AND DISORIENTATION. VERSE 18 HE SAYS MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN TROUBLE AND SORROW. WELL, COME ON, HIS WHOLE LIFE HASN’T BEEN THAT WAY BUT HE’S MAKING EXAGGERATED, HYPERBOLIC STATEMENTS AND WE GET TO HEAR WHAT A GUYS THINKING THAT’S EXPERIENCED UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS AND REPEATED REJECTION. BUT THIS HAS BEEN WRITTEN SO THAT YOU CAN BE ENCOURAGED AND LEARN FROM JEREMIAD'S EXPERIENCE. AS I SAID LAST WEEK, ITS NOT WRONG TO HAVE FEELINGS EVEN SOME BAD FEELINGS BUT IT IS WRONG TO BE CONTROLLED BY THEM.

NOW JEREMIAH DID 3 THINGS TO FIGHT OFF THESE FEELING OF DEPRESSION SO THAT HE COULD GET VICTORY IN HIS LIFE.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN WHEN GOD IS SILENT, GOD IS WORKING

SO WHENEVER YOU SENSE THAT GOD IS SILENT IT NEVER MEANS HE’S REJECTED YOU. WHEN JESUS CRIED OUT AT CALVARY, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME", THE FATHER WAS DOING HIS GREATEST WORK IN REDEEMING MANKIND. THE GREATEST WORK IN ALL OF HISTORY WAS BEING DONE WHEN JESUS COULD NOT SEE OR FEEL OR HAVE ANY AWARENESS THAT GOD WAS ON THE SCENE WORKING. LET ME DEFINE SPIRITUAL MATURITY FOR YOU: ITS TRUSTING AND OBEYING GOD WITHOUT NEEDING VISUAL OR EMOTIONAL RESPONSES FROM GOD. GOD DOESN’T LEAD US BY OUR EMOTIONS OR OUR FIVE SENSES, HE LEADS US BY HIS SPIRIT, THE WORD OF GOD AND BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE.

was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side,

I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst,

and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:

and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING HERE WAS THAT THOMAS HAD TO SEE TO BELIEVE BUT THE REAL MATURE AND SPIRITUAL BELIEVER WILL BE TRULY BLESSED BECAUSE HE DOESN’T RELY UPON SEEING, HEARING, TOUCHING, TASTING, SMELLING AND FEELING TO KNOW THE FAITHFULNESS AND PROVISION OF THE LORD. PEOPLE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE GOD BECAUSE OF HIS SPOKEN WORD ARE CALLED A PERVERSE GENERATION THAT ALWAYS SEEK A SIGN. UNBELIEF IS A SPIRITUAL PERVERSION. SO PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN GOD IS SILENT GOD STILL HEARS YOU AND HE MAY BE DOING HIS GREATEST WORK.

2. THE NEXT THING JEREMIAH DID WAS THAT WHEN THE PROBLEM

CAME HE STARTED TALKING TO GOD ABOUT HIS PROBLEM. WHAT JEREMIAH IS TEACHING US HERE IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE DOWN AND DEPRESSED YOU NEED TO BE HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT THE WAY YOU FEEL AND THE WAY YOUR PERCEIVE THINGS. PEOPLE IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP CAN TELL THEM ANYTHING BUT PEOPLE IN A PLASTIC, SUPERFICIAL RELATIONSHIP HAVE TO SAY WHAT’S EXPECTED OR THE RELATIONSHIP IS BROKEN. JEREMIAH HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BECAUSE HE COULD TELL HIM ANYTHING EVEN IF IT WAS NEGATIVE.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength,

and my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him:

God is a refuge for us. Selah.

DO YOU KNOW THAT TALKING IS THERAPY, WHEN YOU TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM YOU SEEM TO FEEL BETTER. PSYCHARITRIST AND PSYCHOLOGISTS KNOW THIS AND THEY CHARGE YOU $95.00 AND HOUR TO DO IT BUT YOU CAN POUR OUT YOUR HEART TO GOD AND THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID AT CALVARY.

LISTEN, WHEN YOU STOP TALKING YOUR IN SERIOUS TROUBLE AND IF YOU HOLD IT IN ITS LIKE POISON, IT WILL CONTAMINATE YOU AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU. SO YOU NEED TO SPEAK HONESTLY ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE FEELING AND THINKING AND YOU WILL FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR SITUATION.

. THE THIRD THING JEREMIAH DID WHEN HE FELT AN ATTACK OF DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION WAS HE BEGAN TO OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD.

13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

1Thes 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.

A CHRISTIAN IS MATURE WHEN HE PRAISES THE LORD OUT OF OBEDIENCE INSTEAD OF JUST WHEN HE FEELS GOOD. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE IS JUST THAT, YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT BUT YOU DO IT ANY WAY. PAUL TELLS US THAT IN EVERY SITUATION WE’RE IN, WE NEED TO GIVE GOD PRAISE AND THANKS. NOW HE DIDN’T SAY FOR EVERY SITUATION BUT WHILE YOU’RE PASSING THRU IT KEEP YOU EYES ON ME BY THANKING ME. THE SCRIPTURE TELLS US TO LOOK UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. WHEN YOU PRAISE GOD IN DOWN TIMES YOU ARE LOOKING UNTO JESUS AND YOUR FAITH IS BEING SUPERNATURALLY STRENGTHENED. AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT YOU ARE PUTTING THE ENEMY TO FLIGHT BECAUSE HE HATES THE SOUND OF PRAISE. ANOTHER LOGISTIC THING THAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT YOU’RE DIVERTING YOU ATTENTION AND THOUGHTS AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEM AND UNTO THE LORD. YOU CANNOT THINK ABOUT TWO THINGS AT THE SAME TIME SO DAVID SAID, ONE THING HAVE I DESIRE AND ONE THING HAVE I SOUGHT OF THE LORD, THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF HIS PRESENCE FOREVER. PRAISE AND WORSHIP USHERS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD INTO YOUR HEART, SOUL, BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT.

CHARLES SPURGEON SAID, DEPRESSION FORCES ME TO GO BACK TO THE PROMISES OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. AND HERE’S WHAT I FOUND, GOD WAS PREPARING ME FOR SOMETHING GREATER. THE CLOUD IS BLACK BEFORE IT BREAKS. IT OVER SHADOWS BEFORE IT RELEASES ITS DELUGE OF MERCY. DEPRESSION HAS NOW BECOME TO ME AS A PROPHET IN ROUGH CLOTHING, A JOHN THE BAPTIST SOUNDING THE NEAR COMING OF MY LORD’S RICHER BLESSINGS FOR MY LIFE. WHEN YOU BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD YOU REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS AND HIS PROMISES AND YOU TAKE COURAGE FOR THE PRESENT DIFFICULTY YOUR FACING.

Isa 41:10

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 41:10

10 Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

2 Cor 1:3-6

3 What a wonderful God we have-- he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

5 You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement.

6 We are in deep trouble for bringing you God's comfort and salvation. But in our trouble God has comforted us-- and this, too, to help you: to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you the strength to endure.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN GOD IS SILENT IT NEVER, EVER MEANS THAT HE HAS REJECTED YOU.

2. BE HONEST WITH GOD AND TELL HIM HOW YOU’RE FEELING BECAUSE TALKING IS THERAPEUTIC.

3. BEGIN TO PRAISE THE LORD IN THAT DIFFICULT PLACE AND YOU WILL RENEW YOUR MIND AND FAITH AND ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD.