I shared my depression the other day, and then I’ve shared with you revelations from God’s Word to work through this depression. I came upon a Scripture in the psalms that led me back to Scriptures in James I’ve been taken to again and again. Apparently, I still have much to learn!

This time I’m using the NLT version: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (Jam 1:2-4)

The Lord sees in me a need for Him to continue to refine me, and I can find joy because “I am certain that God, who began the good work within [me], will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil 1:6). Whether I feel it in this moment or not, what is true is that I am precious to God and He sees what He can do in my life to refine me to become more and more like Jesus for God’s glory. Nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jer 32:27), even me!

I’ve desperately needed His wisdom, so I sought it. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:5-8) 

The reason that we shouldn’t expect to receive wisdom or anything we ask for from the Lord if we have faith in anything other than Him, is because He is a jealous God (Ex 34:14). There is a big difference between our sinful jealousy, which we are definitely commanded to repent from, and God’s jealousy, which is righteous and pure. The Creator God has a right to desire our praise, our attention, and our hearts and thus is right to be jealous when we give these things to someone other than Himself. Because He has created us and the world we live in, He has a right to us. He is justly jealous of our worship and praise.

Today, I feel hopeful as I should have all week. Thank the Lord for His Word that never changes! “Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” (Ps 28:6-7)

I encourage anyone who is feeling low or depressed, seek the Lord for He will give us His wisdom. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Pet 5:7)