Many times, I padded to his door whispering a prayer, “God, please. Would you intervene today? Put an end to this depression. Keep him safe from harm.” He might respond with a greeting at my gentle rap, but he rarely opened the thin barrier between us. “Are you doing any better,” I would ask, bracing myself for the unwanted answer.

“Not really. I feel just as hopeless as yesterday.”

 

How Jesus is Our Hope

The cave of Adullam represented shelter and escape for David in the same way that my son’s room did. Jealous of David’s anointing, King Saul hunted his son-in-law. But desperate men hungry for hope hurried to the hole in which the shepherd hid.

1 Samuel 22:2 reads, “And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him.”

 

Jesus is the hope of the burdened and distressed.

This story—and verse in particular—paints a picture of our future King who would later say, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

People in pain ran to the stronghold. They looked to God’s chosen to free them from their heaviness. But a greater King promises “rest for [our] souls”. (Matthew 11:29 NIV)

 

Jesus is the hope of the indebted.

As a youth, his family deemed David unworthy of earning an audience with the prophet Samuel. Now his father and brothers gathered below the earth’s hollowed walls—longing to see his face.  Soon, the cavern filled with men eager to hear David’s words. Surely he would relieve them of their debt. God’s hand was on the son of Jesse.

Much later, Christ would release those who would believe from the debt of sin that they might receive eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

 

Jesus is the hope of the discontented.

Scripture does not reveal the circumstances of the discontented men but many likely defected from Saul’s ranks after having been maltreated and abused. Yet David overcame the root of bitterness by caring for those who followed him.

His parents found security in the palace of the king of Moab while David’s men settled in the town of Ziklag.

Through Jesus, we acquire hope that dethrones all discontent. As children of the Father, wholly loved and accepted because of the blood of the Lamb, we hold to the promise of a forever home. As Christ told His disciples, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3 NIV)

 

How We Can Share Hope With the Hurting

The man on the screen shares the dismal statistics. One in four adults and one in six children in the United States struggle with a mental health disorder but few receive the support they need. I know. I have lived through the hard of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, high-functioning depression, and anxiety. But God has seen me to the place of health and recovery.

Jesus is our hope—in every dark place, circumstance, or cave. He can heal each heart, hurt, and wound. Click To Tweet

Jesus is our hope—in every dark place, circumstance, or cave. He can heal each heart, hurt, and wound. He is sovereign over disease, shattered relationships, and even mental health.

But like David’s men, we must seek our leader. Engage. Each of us can make a difference for those who are suffering.

We can:

• Encourage our pastors to host a series featuring Bible figures who struggled with mental health.
• Start a support group for families at our local church.
• Stop over-spiritualizing mental health issues (i.e. “If you prayed more, you wouldn’t need medication.”)
• Minimize stigma by using words like bipolar, depression, anxiety, and OCD.
• Consider enrolling in a Bible-based program to become a Mental Health Coach. (Email me for a scholarship link.)
• Provide support for the families as well as the individual with mental illness.

 

Helpful Resources for Those Who Need to Know Jesus is Their Hope

• Hopeline  Focus on the Family offers one complimentary consultation by phone and also refers people to professionals in their local community.
• DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) DBSA hosts many chapters around the country for those who struggle with mental health as well as support groups for family members. Several groups are faith-based.
• SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)  SAMSHA lists multiple providers around the country for serious mental illness as well as treatment facilities for substance abuse. It includes a free, 24-hour national helpline.  1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Circles of Hope, co-founded by mental health advocate and speaker Maree Dee, supports hundreds of family members whose loved ones live with mental illness.
• CHADD is an organization that assists and provides ongoing educational opportunities for parents, educators, and other advocates who care for and about children who live with ADHD.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255) – Veterans Crisis Line – Select Option 1
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline (800) 950-6264
• Crisis Text Line – crisistextline.org – text CONNECT to 741741
  Text trained counselors anything that’s on your mind, 24/7, confidential, nationwide
• National Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 442-HOPE (4673)

Several years have passed since most of my dear one’s days looked bleak and hopeless. Some are still shrouded by depression but they are fewer than before. I am certain He is able to sustain my son when the emotional pain presses in and I am continuing to pray for healing. Jesus is our hope–my son’s, yours, and mine.

Peace and grace,

Tammy

 

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Tammy Kennington

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