Hope for Crushed Spirits

Reading in the book of Proverbs, these two verses stuck out to me. They are certainly true, but hardly encouraging.

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13

And,

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

No one would prefer to have a crushed spirit over being cheerful and happy, yet it seems in life that we cannot always avoid it. Circumstances can be harsh, pain inevitable and depression an unfortunate reality that plagues “almost 3 million Canadians at any given time”.

But as I searched for an answer for the pain of heartache and the despair of a crushed spirit, I quickly came upon two responsive verses, which declare our hope in the compassion and faithfulness of God:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

And,

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

We are not alone, but the Lord is near, especially when we are hurting. Just as a father comes running when his child falls off their bike and scrapes their knee, our Father is right there beside us when we need Him the most.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14

God understands our fragility, and His response is not impatience or indifference, but compassion. Also, (as my dear, insightful mother pointed out to me), the wording of Psalm 147 does not imply immediate healing, but rather, it assures us that He is there, and He will carry us through the journey of healing. He binds up our wounds, as a nurturing and caring Father, walking alongside us with our hand in His, leading us towards complete recovering. Just as physical wounds take time to heal, so spiritual and emotional healing comes in God's timing. And ultimately, the complete and permanent healing and restoration of our souls will not come in this lifetime, but we can trust in God's faithful promises that the day is coming where we will finally experience it.

Simply [under]stated, life is not easy. Jesus Himself forewarned His disciples while He was still with them that they would have to face sorrow and anguish, but encourages them to remember to maintain an eternal perspective.

“You will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.” John 16:20b-21

It can be difficult to see past the pain and emotions of our current situation when we have such a limited understanding compared to God's eternal perspective and sovereignty. Jesus understood this aspect of our humanity perfectly, realizing how we often wrestle with troubling questions and struggle with uncertainty. He therefore encourages His disciples that they may ask anything of the Father. He is near, and He hears them and cares about them. He is faithful to give them the strength they need in order to persevere to the end.

“Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” John 16:23b-24

Jesus assures them that God is on their side, and will provide all that they need. They are able to trust wholly in Him and in His perfect plan. More than that, they can also look forward to the day when all will become clear, and they will finally see that it was all worth it.

“You have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me.” John 16:22-23a

The joy will be permanent and eternal. They will not need to ask anything, for all their questions will be answered.

“The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father.” John 16:25b

With our human understanding, we are unable to grasp the greatness and nature of God. But on the day that we are made complete and whole, joining in Christ's resurrection, we will be able to see clearly and unhindered. All confusion and heartache will fall away, to be replaced with the enduring joy and peace of God.

“And He will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:6-9

“They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3b-4

#hope #depression #joy