When depression hits, it tempts you down the path to despair. Remember what Jesus did when he was tempted to give up – he pushed aside sorrow and anguish for the joy that was set before him. The next time you feel the dark thoughts creeping in, lead your thoughts to the light and focus on the coming joy!
What do you think about when you’re depressed?
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and yes, I struggle with depression, not because of my disability or my wheelchair; no, it’s my chronic pain. Unrelenting pain can easily wear away my perseverance and corrode my joy. Now, you might think, “Oh, come on, you’re Joni; you don’t really get depressed, do you?” Well listen, I’m not a plastic, superficial, whitewashed Joni that never has problems. The real Joni is the one who fights daily for her joy. And the battle lines of this fight, they are drawn right through the middle of my thoughts. Because, like you, when my pain starts to get me down, and my thoughts grow dark, I start thinking, “This is the pits; I can’t live like this anymore. Just – I’m so tired of pain. I’m tired and I don’t even want to get out of bed. Just close the drapes. God, you’re asking too much of me. I don’t want to do anything. I’m not even sure it’s worth it. What if my pain gets worse?”
Those are the thoughts I think when depression starts to creep in, but I simply cannot allow my thoughts to get away with murder. So, how do I jerk them right side up? Well, I’ve got to lead them by the hand and show them the light. Yep, light dispels every darkness. Jesus is my light, and so I look at the way he handled wayward thoughts – and yes, Jesus was enticed to give up. The Bible says that he was tempted in every way like we are, except he did not succumb to dark thoughts, like when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He chose the brighter path. Jesus pushed aside sorrow and anguish for the joy that was set before him. He kept looking to the brighter day, to the reality ahead, to the truth that God would not abandon him but use even his agonizing death for the good of all those who would but believe. That’s what I have to keep thinking about when I get down. I look to that brighter day, to the reality ahead; just like Jesus, I focus my thoughts on the coming joy.
And so, when I start to feel the blues coming on, I think about that soon and coming day when Jesus will be crowned the undisputed Lord of the universe, when his kingdom will fill every corner of the cosmos. I think about that day when sorrow and sighing will be erased from our memories. I make myself think about all pain and tears gone forever, and evil, punished. I make myself remember James 1:12 – ooh, I love this verse – it says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.” I want more than anything to have the crown of life. And it’s this thinking that helps me get up and out of depression. These are the thoughts that clear away the fog. I am a woman of Psalm 119:92. Oh, God, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Oh boy, that’s the truth! To me, these thoughts are brighter, and more hopeful, and far more effective than any remedy for pain relief that I might devise.
There’s more to say on this topic, but John Piper in his book When the Darkness Will Not Lift does a better job than I can, here in these few minutes. And I would love to offer you a free copy today. Just go to joniradio.org and ask for your gift and bring your dark thoughts into the light of God’s truth. Learn how to persevere up and out of depression with John Piper’s book When the Darkness Will Not Lift. It’s a gift, and it’s waiting for you today at joniradio.org. That’s your good word today from Joni Eareckson Tada sharing hope.
© Joni and Friends