“I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: ‘What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.’ You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” (v1-5,8-12)
What jumps out at me is David’s desire to be fully alive. How often do we or people we know live as if they are dying or already dead? Depression, anxiety, being reclusive, apathy, detachment, disengagement are all examples of behaviors/mindsets that make someone seem more like they’re dying than they are living. These oppressive defeatist mindsets give the impression that the person would rather wallow in self-pity than engage in celebratory or worshipful behavior. I know this is true first-hand because I’ve suffered from depression – I used to live like I was already dead and that life was meaningless. These mindsets sadly exist in Christians, not just unbelievers.
This living-dead mentality runs rampant in our culture today, probably because our culture subconsciously promotes it. Our culture provides pictures of “ideal lifestyles” that are either false, or unachievable. When someone fails to achieve said lifestyle, or they do achieve it yet are still unfulfilled, then these emotional/psychological disorders can be a natural result (it happened to me).
[Note: I realize there are legitimate medical conditions or medications that increase the likelihood of these disorders or make a person predisposed to them, but what I’m focusing on is people being tricked into subconsciously accepting these mindsets]
I suggest that the bulk of advertising and media today are a trap from the enemy to encourage people pursue false fulfillment (wealth, popularity, etc) in futility – we will ultimately fail, and then negative mindsets are given a chance to have a foothold. Only God can ultimately provide that sense of fulfillment that we all subconsciously seek – He actually designed us this way on purpose so we would depend on Him. When we pursue God and what He wants us to pursue, He fulfills us and we experience true joy (eg. David danced and sang for the Lord).
Yes, mourning and weeping will be unavoidable since our hearts will be broken in this life, however, “going down to the pit” (both spiritually, emotionally and psychologically) is avoidable because of who God is and how He delivers us from it.
Father God, I pray for any who are currently living in defeat. I don’t know how or why they are in this place, however I know that you understand their situation and long to deliver them. Father God in the power of Jesus’ name I intercede on their behalf – block the enemy from whispering lies in their ears long enough that they can realize they need help. Father please provide the love and care each one needs in order to begin climbing out of that pit. I know from experience the climb takes time, so I praise you in advance for providing patient and compassionate brothers and sisters in Christ who will partner with them and walk through this pit together. Father deliver those who are defeated so they may experience victory and joy in who you are. Father please strengthen those who are caregivers so that they may be encouraging and loving without falling into any traps of their own along the way. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.
If you or someone you know are experiencing a pit right now, take heart – God longs to provide deliverance and healing. Please don’t be ashamed to ask someone trusted for help, looking back on this period of your life you’ll be glad that you had the extra support. I know, I’ve been there.
~ Conqueror in Training