The Well
The Well |
|
Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Sunday
June 1, 2008
The Lord's promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.
Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the
oppressed,
preserving them forever from this lying generation,
even
though the wicked strut about,
and evil is praised throughout the
land.
Psalm 12:6-8
Have you ever really noticed just how much the enemies' hand is in depression? More and more, the Lord is showing me that in many instances depression is the physical counterpart of oppression. He is really helping me see depression as spiritual oppression. Satan hates the fact that once we can name what our problem is, we are better equipped to deal with it.
Oppression occurs when we experience a sense of persecution or injustice whether it is emotional or physical. Oppression is a time of suffering whether it is emotional, physical, or spiritual that leads to an internal sense of distress, and it usually stems from a disappointment. Basically, a depressed person feels a sense of the overthrowing of their freedom that leads to a compulsion to self-destruct.
Some alternative words for being oppressed are: burdened, overloaded, abused, overwhelmed, or annoyed. The antonyms are: liberated, unburdened, or relieved. So, I guess there are more people who are oppressed than we even realize.
My Bible says that the Lord is close to those who are oppressed. However, we are unable to recognize His hand on us because of demonic forces surrounding us. That is why it is necessary to reach out to someone who cares and understands what depression/oppression is all about; someone who can take authority over these demonic forces and stand in the gap for us.
David had Samuel and Nathan as spiritual advisors, but he also had Joab and several other close associates who stood beside him and confronted him when he was headed in the wrong direction. Once David could raise his head above water he always sought the Lord's counsel and when he received it, he acted on it.
Who are your spiritual advisors? Do you meet with them regularly? Do you also have close friends who will speak the truth to you in love and not just let you flounder around when you are headed in the wrong direction? We need fellowship people. The first thing a depressed person does is pull away from people. If you have done that, call someone now who will be compassionate to your particular circumstances without getting in the ditch with you.
Father, I praise You because You understand oppression. I implore You to teach us how to take control of the spiritual area where we live and defeat the enemy. I stand in agreement with my brothers and sisters in Christ that Satan has no authority over me unless I give it to him. So, I stand in the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and speak good riddance to the demons of depression and oppression who not only have come against me, but against our nation. Show us, precious Lord, what the next step to freedom is.
