Isn’t the Spirit supposed to comfort me?
Question:
I'm 26 but my body already seems to be falling apart. I can barely get out of bed these days. If the cause of this is heart problems or cancer or something, can I just resist treatment so I can go home and be with Jesus? I'm so depressed. I can't be a good mom or wife like this. I cry every day. I can't stop and I have tried. This world makes me so sad. I'm not strong enough to live in it. Is the Holy Spirit inside me supposed to comfort me somehow? I don't know if I have it because I'm not being comforted. I think I'd have to be supernaturally healed to go on.
Thank you. God bless.
Answer:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13).
You're experiencing depression, which is a common ailment. It doesn't require a miracle to solve.
The first thing you need to do is see your doctor to make sure that there is no physical cause of your depression. If nothing is found, then you can see a preacher or counselor to help you pinpoint what is behind the depression. Meanwhile, there are some simple things that you can do to counter your depression.
- Get out in the sunshine, even when you don't feel like it. The light and exercise will improve your mood.
- Focus your mind on positive things. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
- Read your Bible, especially spend some time reading through the Psalms.
