BRIGHTER THAN NOONDAY
DEPRESSION
«And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark. you would be like the morning» (Job 11:17).
The ninth and most terrifying symptom of depression is the thought of death— the idea of takin your own life—which sometimes leads to suicide attempts and even suicide. The person who struggles with severe depression is suffering to such a degree that death is perceived as the only solution.
Biblical characters chosen by God like Moses, Elijah and Jonah wanted to die during critical moments of their mission and appealed to God to let them die (Num. 11:14; I Kings 19:4; Jon. 4:8). Nobody is spared from despair which is a weapon used by Satan to ruin men and women. Fortunately, when we come to God and ask Him life and not death, He will provide it to us as the Psalmist says, «My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word» (Ps. 119:25), The Psalmist repeats the plea «revive me» no more than eight times in Psalm 119. It is the earning of all human beings to have life, and not a short one, but an abundant one like what Jesus affirmed, «I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it mote abundantly» (John 10:10).
Today’s text is a comforting and a hopeful promise for those who can no longer find a meaning in their lives and come to believe that dying is a better solution. The Scriptures assure us that the lives of God’s children will be brighter than midday, and even if it gets darker, it will be like the morning, Darkness is associated with depression, both in a figurative and literal sense. In fact, seasonal depression is a noticeable reality in the countries located farther from the equator, where the hours of natural light are scarce in winter. The lack of sunlight aggravates the symptoms during the winter months with Ion nights and short days. The rates of this form of depression significantly vary according to the latitude. For example, the rate of depression in Florida is 1.4% per year while the equivalent data in New Hampshire which is 2,000km north is 9.7%.
One of the most practical treatments for seasonal depression is a fluorescent light box designed to provide bright light co the patients in their own home: they place themselves in front of the lamp or do their daily tasks exposed to such light and thus relieve the symptoms of depression. But there is a light infinitely more powerful and efficient: Jesus Himself. Thus, He said, «I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life» (John 8:12).
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Alejandra Zavala & Magda Sanz