Father, is it a sin to feel depressed?

A prayer for when things seem dark. About a 2-3 minute read.

Father, is it a sin to feel depressed?

I guess not. King David sure seemed depressed sometimes. Like the world was against him. Like he was far from you.

Please forgive me, Lord, for I fear my feelings betray a lack of joy in you, a lack of trust and faith. Like I don’t really believe you are sovereign and good and loving.

If I don’t believe that you are pure love, and loving in all you do, I am a lost and bitter man. I don’t believe anyone wants to be that person.

I mean, if I didn’t have faith in you, confident of your love and goodness, your mercy and grace, I would have nothing. If you aren’t pure love and goodness, then you are distant, hard, and cruel.

If you aren’t loving, good, merciful, and full of grace, then you wouldn’t have died for me on the cross—indescribable, immense suffering and alienation from Father.

Lord Jesus, was the agony you felt in Gethsemane, knowing the suffering and separation ahead of you, like that? Even the anticipation of embracing sin that was not your own sin, as if it were your own, was indescribable agony.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. . . My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus, thank you for taking the cup. In love, you looked beyond the cross. The results brought you joy. “Who for the joy set before him. . .”

The price for sin paid. Ultimate love wooing the bride. Sons and daughters adopted. In intimacy, reigning with Father over all things. The ultimate restoration of what was lost in Eden.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . .”

Father, is it a sin to feel depressed? I don’t know. I guess not. But I surely don’t think it is possible to remain feeling shriveled when my eyes, my full attention, is fixed and focused on the measureless love, grace, and mercy you, and yourself as Jesus, demonstrated through the cross. The suffering finished, you even gave me yourself, as Holy Spirit, to live in me and through me.

Now, today, by your grace, may your love and mercy transform me.

“Not as I will, but as you will.”