2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

These could be the words to my theme song.  I don’t have one, of course, but, if I did, it would be sung to tune 878787 PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN.  Google it to hear the melody!  It’s also Hymn #864 in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book, if you have it.

MY EVER-PLAYING THEME SONG:

“Praise, my soul, the God of Heav-en; when af-flict-ed, struck down, scared.  My soul shines since I am liv-ing,      even when my heart despairs.  Per-se-cut-ed, not for-sak-en, fazed I rise a-gain to praise.“

Catchy, ain’t it?  Doesn’t it scream REALITY to you?  I’ve done some family history, and I think I truly identify with the MANY women in my heritage who were lumped into the category of “LONG SUFFERING.”

Somehow they LIVED. They ran the race.  They overcame, they carried on.  When I feel the bone weariness of another depression washing over me, maybe I could sing a few lines and snap out of it. I CAN’T ACTUALLY SNAP OUT OF IT.  Depression is UNSTOPPABLE even when you are managing it with lifestyle and medication.  I have to sing this while I’m feeling OKAY to lay the BEDROCK for when I AM NOT.

BREATHE.  Remind yourself that so far in your life, and so far today, you have NOT been CRUSHED into oblivion.  Your worry and anxiety has not utterly DEFEATED your spirit.  Despair is tempered because, LOOK, here you are – NOT forsaken and NOT destroyed.  It’s good news EVEN if you feel like a truck has just hit you and there’s an elephant sitting on your chest. That sadness that separates you from strength and holds apart from relationships and community – it WILL eventually lessen and WHEN it does, you can sing my theme song with me.  It will be the shield we wield on this earthly walk TOGETHER.

God shines glorious light into OUR hearts so we can see the divine TREASURE that is planted there, so we can know that even though death is always at work in us, we are also AFLAME with the extraordinary life of Christ.  

I’ve been DOWN on myself through these many weeks of Christmastide.  But a good friend reminded me that the judgement of others DOESN’T MATTER. It’s LOVE that matters.  GOD is LOVE. Sharing love is good for what ails ya. Onward and Upward, friends.