Numb
Numb
Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck. I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing. (Ps. 69:1–2)
After Mike left for work and the kids got on the school bus, Debbie sat in the chair wondering, What’s wrong with me? I don’t have any energy, I can’t seem to concentrate, and I haven’t been sleeping well. I just feel numb. The phone rang, but Debbie didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Finally, just before the answering machine took the call, she picked it up. It was her sister Cheryl.
“Hey, Deb, you seemed pretty down the last time we talked. How are you doing?”
Debbie described the way she’d been feeling. Cheryl said, “Maybe you’re depressed. Have you seen a doctor?”
“I don’t need to see a doctor. I’ll be OK. I just need some more sleep.”
“Depression can be serious,” Cheryl said. “Besides, it can’t hurt to see your doctor. Please promise me you’ll go.”
When Debbie hung up the phone, she prayed as tears stung her eyes. Lord, please help me. I want to be at my best so I can be the person You created me to be. Reveal Yourself to me so I can feel hopeful again.
It’s perfectly normal to occasionally feel sad or upset, or to be unhappy with situations in your life. But with depression these feelings linger for weeks, months, or even years. They are much more intense than just “the blues” and can interfere with relationships, work, and daily activities. If you know of someone who may be suffering from depression, prayerfully urge them to seek help. Just as you would go to the doctor to treat diabetes or high blood pressure, depression is a serious medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. While we are to trust in the Lord (Ps. 37:5), He also expects us to do our part to properly care for ourselves.