I don’t care for closed spaces. The thought of being stuck in an underground cavern is the stuff of nightmares. Confinement, albeit temporary, is not my idea of a good time.

     Those who struggle with depression share a common experience with the Peach Springs tourists. Depression leaves one feeling caught within a downward spiral of despondency from which escape seems impossible. I once heard it said that depression is like being colorblind yet continually told how colorful the world is.

     To compound the sense of futility, talking about one’s feelings of depression is taboo in our society. The Jewish people, however, take a different view. The writer of Psalm 130 was not shy about expressing his emotions, especially when it came to prayer. “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord,” is a plaintive wail for help. The writer was in obvious pain and refused to withhold his feelings from God.

     I don’t know how God’s answered the Psalmist’s prayer. God may have reduced his measure of suffering. However, I also am aware that God doesn’t always respond to our requests in the manner we want. Paul the Apostle was disappointed when God declined to relieve him of the continually suffering he experienced. Yet Paul’s response was one of faith:

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it

away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is

sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect

in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).

     One way or another, Paul believed that God would either remove the burden he carried or strengthen him to withstand his burden. Regardless of the response, Paul was confident he would emerge victorious.

     For those who battle depression, I pray that Paul’s message encourages you. Know that your prayers are heard. Believe that the God who created you will sustain you. Trust that no matter how deep you descend, you will never be beyond the grip of God’s grace.