Are you Depressed or Exhausted? 

Image by Jarkko Mänty from Pixabay

Recently I found myself asking this question when I woke up with the thought, I’m tired of everything………….. 

I know from experience that having no interest in anything can mean that you’re depressed. However, I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, only that I couldn’t think of anything that really floats my boat these days. I’m talking about the things that should normally spell P.A.S.S.I.O.N to this heart of mine. I was also finding myself becoming a tad anxious due to feeling emotionally crippled and unable to push.

So, as any normal person would do, I did a quick Google search.  Yes, talking to God might be more effective. But, I have issues. I’m afraid that He won’t answer or I’ll miss His voice. Maybe I’ll simply ignore His voice. I do talk to Him, but I find it difficult to be specific in asking for things. Again, I have issues. Also, I have no patience when I’m struggling!  I want a prompt reply! 😳 Google is quick. 😳 I’m a mess. 

What did Google tell me then? In response to the prompt, I’m tired of everything, Good ole’ Google guided me to a host of different articles on exhaustion. That sent me down Pondering Lane. 🤔

Long story a smidgen shorter, I do think I’m more likely exhausted than depressed. This makes sense after the long endless journey I’ve been on with next to no breaks, and when I do get breaks I find myself too tired to care about anything. That makes pushing cause some anxiety. I need some rest.

Faithfully, The Lord did get a word in even though I turned to Google. 😳😳😳😳 Did I mention my inward groaning? 

Thankfully, He is kind in spite of myself and does toss me a bread crumb from time to time to chew on. 

As I was inwardly groaning, 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 came to my mind. Yes, in these bodies we will groan….

God sent me on another Google search with this one. He knows I enjoy following His bread crumbs as much as I appreciate a good gnaw on one. 🧐 

When I looked up 2 Corinthians 5:4 – 5 it was the words ‘swallowed up by life’ that caused me to dig deeper. Being tired I wasn’t sure I understood these words. 🤔 So I turned to Bible commentaries. 

Paul was talking about immortality. Understanding that Paul was talking about being clothed with eternity, my mind went to Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble…” 

Yes, while we’re in these bodies we’ll be subject to the troubles of this world. Exhaustion, struggle, pain, stress, depression, anxiety, fear, persecution, you name it… whatever spells trouble to you, you’ll face some, if not all, of it. This can send a soul longing and groaning for heaven (Immortality – life with God – rest and peace). 

I was drawn to look up Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble.”  What exactly was Jesus saying when he told the disciples, “But I have overcome the world.” 🤔 

Does this mean that He will solve all of our problems? I do think we believe He will or should step in and spare us from our grief. But on further investigation it appears that Jesus was assuring us of something a little different than a full on immediate rescue. 

First, context is so important. Jesus was warning the disciples that troubling things would occur. In these same verses he was telling them why He was giving them this information. He wanted them to have peace. He didn’t want their hearts to be troubled by the things they would have to go through. So Jesus says, I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble but I have overcome the world. 

So, no. Jesus wasn’t saying that he would spare them these things. He wanted them to find peace in Him. In His promises despite the storm within and around them. 

This isn’t the answer we like to hear, so we groan, longing for our heavenly home. Nevertheless, Jesus promises that if we turn our hearts towards Him we can have peace. I understand this, but I can still struggle with it. This is part of being human and why we need a Saviour. I can’t be the only one. Or the only one to incorporate Google into my guidance system. 😬😬😬😬

I’m just glad that God directs, or redirects, me and provides clarification. So maybe I should trust Him far more than I usually do…. 

Jesus Does offer Peace and Rest, “Bread Crumbs” and so much more...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27