depression Archives ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

How to Avoid a Weary Heart When Serving Others

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Life at times can cause us to feel a weariness of heart and spirit, a sadness that runs deep within our heart and soul. Our body aches with a fatigue that is much deeper than we could imagine. We press forward, striving to be noticed, to be loved and to be appreciated by those around us. It is for that reason, I wanted to delve into the emotional stumbling blocks that we may face in our life. During the last post, I began to explore some of the root causes of weariness of heart and spirit by pointing out that often this emotional fatigue comes as a result of our expectations. In the last post I began with our own expectations of ourselves. Today, I want to explore our expectations from others whom we serve and then Friday I want to discuss our expectations of God. Often, we falter or feel utterly dismayed because our expectations are not met; yet, it is our expectations that are faulty and need to be realigned. Continue reading “How to Avoid a Weary Heart When Serving Others”

How to Overcome Weariness of Heart and Spirit

Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. Psalm 69:1-3

There is a weariness of heart and spirit that we may face at times in our life. That weariness and fatigue can lead toward a paralyzing depression if we cannot discover it’s source and find it’s remedy. So often we try to hide the weariness from the rest of the world, never wanting them to know. We run after entertainment, relationships, alcohol, and drugs to numb the pain. Yet, in the darkness of night, the weariness is still there. Sometimes, our bodies are too fatigued as we battle some chronic illness or we face the agony of losing someone we love. The sorrow digs deep within our soul. We agonize over our own frailty and sin at times. I do not know what sorrow, worry or despair may be rising up to drown your soul. Over a lifetime, I have found myself at times drowning in my own tears. For that reason, I want to reach out a hand of hope to you today as I begin a new series concerning the emotional turmoil we face on this journey called life. Continue reading “How to Overcome Weariness of Heart and Spirit”

Can Joy Really Win On the Battlefields of Life?

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:1-3 NKJV

In this life we face struggles, trials and devastating tragedies at times which tear at our hearts. When we look at all the tragedies surrounding us, we weep for those who are hurting. Devastating floods, angry mobs, corruption, terrorist attacks, poverty, cancer, and the unending list of battlefields surrounding our hearts and minds. What can we possibly do? Is joy something we should even hope for? Desire? Can we over shadow all the pain by clinging tight to joys of this world? Can we drown ourselves in success, money, things, friends, pleasures and trivialities to pretend that our heart does not ache? Or is there a different steadfast joy and hope on which we can cling to in the middle of this battlefield called life? An ember of joy that cannot and will not be destroyed. A tiny ember of joy living and abiding deep within the heart of each believer. That ember of joy, anchored tight to Jesus Christ, does not allow our ship to crash when life’s storms crash around us.

Continue reading “Can Joy Really Win On the Battlefields of Life?”

Poetry Sunday—I Did But Pray

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When loved ones, friends, or even those we meet along this journey are surrounded by darkness; all too often we want to rush in and talk, talk, talk. As though our words might bring comfort. Then, we wish to rush away when that doesn’t work; proclaiming defeat. It is hard to stay; lovingly sitting quietly, forgiving the wrongs, holding tight to hope when everything seems to keep crashing downward. Perhaps, it would be impossible to stay and quietly persevere. Yet, there are those times when that is what we are bid to do. Our only hope to do that is found in the strength, love, and grace of Christ indwelling us. When we remember God’s grace and mercy toward us; then, we can be love, grace and mercy to others around us. Had I drowned Pete with words, he might never have seen God’s Grace. Instead, He saw God’s Grace ultimately through God’s Grace and Love within me providing me the strength to stand, take Pete’s hand, and quietly pray. At the same moment, God was showing me the depth of His love for me as well. If I had never known sorrow; could I have ever known God’s comfort? Could I ever display God’s comforting Grace to another person in their darkness; had I not known the power of God’s Grace reaching to me?

God's Comfort I Did But Pray

In your darkness filled with fear

I walked beside and drew you near

There were no words that I could say

So Quietly I did but pray

What more could I have said or done

Than point you to God’s own dear son

By showing you the grace of God

As on this road we both did trod

My words would mean so little now

Unless I were to live somehow

Displaying Grace by what I do

Forgetting self to think of you

No distance then would be too far

Willing to go where e’er you are

To walk beside to take your hand

To bring you hope, to firmly stand

That when the world a dark abyss

Upon your brow my gentle kiss

Awakening to see God’s light

A hope within could rise and fight

Against the tides that pull you down

The anguish that would bid you drown

Please take my hand and come with me

Oh how I wish your heart could see

The love of God, His Grace to you

That as His face comes into view

Amidst the sorrows in your heart

God’s comfort bidding them depart

His love can wrap you in His arms

Protecting you from evil’s harms

Oh, how I wish that you could see

My strength, my love is Christ in me

So,

In your darkness filled with fear

I walked beside and drew you near

There were no words that I could say

So Quietly I did but pray

Is there someone you know who is drowning in despair? The weight of life’s trials are wearing them down? Or are you weighted down with sorrow and pain? Oh, my dear friends, remember this. God in His Sovereignty allows those sorrows that come into our life. [bctt tweet=”Into a broken world God reaches in with a steady hand of Grace bringing purpose out of our pain”] 1. Either He is drawing you closer to Himself in the midst of the trial 2. Or He is preparing you to share in His Glory by allowing you to be the testimony that leads another to Christ. Usually, He is doing both.

Photo courtesy of https://unsplash.com/joshuaearle The poetry is mine.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.