If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. ~Chinese Proverb
Have you ever thought you lost your song? Sometimes the demands and yes, frustrations, of life just make us weary. The song that usually sings in our soul, reminding us of God's presence, sounds off key and sometimes fades away.
We don't always know the root cause of our depression (not to be confused with clinical depression):
1. Social (broken friendship, betrayed confidence)
2. Emotional (death of someone close)
3. Physical (coping with pain)
4. Material (financial setback)
5. Spiritual (perceived lack of spiritual growth)
When I find depression clouding my heart many times I can retrace my thoughts and find the trigger. Other times the "why" seems reticent -- there doesn't seem to be a "reason."
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| On a Wing and a Prayer Beautiful book for sheltering |
There are times when discouragement clouds a day, and other occasions when depression presses down so hard it affects serveral days and you feel there must surely be a D etched on your forehead. I have found in these times to just wait -- to ride out the storm. Sometimes waiting involves being alone, shutting out the world and recharging. Other times we need to be proactive -- shelter someone, buy a bouquet of flowers, listen to music or read an encouraging blog.
Paul knew discouragement and, in spite of those times, talked about his God, who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us.
Keep the cage of your heart open. Keep the bough fresh. Your song will return. Sunshine as bright as a gold finch's golden coat will glow, drawing others to the source of your song.
Most of all, offer the cause of your depression to God, read His word and focus on God's promises. Leave your heart open, keep your hope fresh, and the music will return.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee --
How great thou art!
How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee --
How great thou art!
How great thou art!
Paul knew discouragement and, in spite of those times, talked about his God, who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us.
Keep the cage of your heart open. Keep the bough fresh. Your song will return. Sunshine as bright as a gold finch's golden coat will glow, drawing others to the source of your song.
44 comments:
Such a beautiful proverb and encouraging post!
Thank you. Have a blessed weekend. :)
Such a needed post. Thanks for reminding us that it's not about how we feel, but rather, remaining steadfast in spite of those fickle feelings. I would love to use this in my grief support group. Would that be okay?
The timing of this (for me) is perfect! Keep your ear tuned to the Spirit, dear friend. You'll never know all the ways God uses your words here.
Very encouraging words! We all face times of discouragement or sadness. But, the Lord will bring us through. He is our hope and strength each day!
Living for Him, Joan
this is so encouraging. Thanks Pamela...
Very beautiful!! Our source of joy should never be situational. We must find our joy in the Lord and in all things give thanks (easier said than done) because in the midst of the storm and our tears we find God's mercy, grace, and blessings. Many times God will allow us to come to the end of our rope to bring us to our knees. Our strength is in in Him and not in anything we can offer ourselves. Thanks for the devotional today, Pamela!
Marisa
What a beautiful post...love the idea of keepin the cage open...and can see the beautiful bird with all it's color...God does walk with us always...such a comfort in times of darkness.
You had me singing this song, it is beautiful...your post uplifted my heart. God bless Pamela.
I think sometimes that singing can lift our spirits when we're down and don't exactly know why. I'm glad you gave me the info on the cost of Charlotte Inn. I figured it would probably be at least $1000 a night.
Hope you're having a great weekend.
Blessings,
Charlotte
I lost my song for a few days last week... We were gone on a disaster relief trip, and for awhile I was the disaster! I got sick and couldn't help. I wondered why I was there. Finally on the third day of sickness I remembered to ask God what He might be trying to teach ME, ...and after that surrender my song and my health came back and I was able to serve again.
Oh ... such beautiful thoughts :)
Your blog is beautiful and I love the name :) It's so nice that your daughters and granddaughter are your blogging partners! Thanks for the visit to my blog and your kind comment :)
I love this song~~ I hope we sing it today~
Blessings,
Ginger
I so love delightful old praise and worship hymn songs, and that is one of my favorites. Thanks for a sweet article and reminder on this Spiritual Sunday :)
This is a lovely post, Pamela. I often find that singing songs of worship and praise help to lift my spirits when I'm feeling down. As you said, most of all, take our thoughts, needs, requests to Jesus.
Blessings,
Joan
I am so grateful for the times that God literally gives me a song in my heart. He is a Song that sings to me of eternity...
I love how you said to keep the cage of our hearts open. Yes, sometimes I can't hear the music until I go outside the bars of my own spiritual confinement.
Yes, Lord - how great Thou art!
GOD BLESS!
Hi, my first thought was ... what a pretty blog :) and beautiful picture on your header. The song you quoted just happens to be my dad's favorite song ! Beautiful piece. New follower on GFC. Thanks for visting my little corner! God Bless !!
Hi Pam,
I'm so worn out I almost went right to bed, but stopped to put a photo on my blog for tomorrow...that's when I saw your comment and followed it back to your post here. I'm so glad I did. I can't hear the music right now...we are dealing with a difficult situation, but your words here are a blessing for my troubled heart tonight...and like Paul, I will turn to my God who comforts and refreashes. I'm so thankful for Spiritual Sundays.
With thanks,
Anita
I've been there when I can't find the song and it's no fun. Your post is so encouraging. Bless you!
Pamela this is a post filled richly with truth.
I had tears welling when I read the segment from the hymn and I must say that your illustrations are particularly poignant for me as I have shared my ongoing journey through anxiety and depression with my readers with the blog title 'Letting My Bluebird Sing'.
Thank you for reminding me to:
Keep the cage of my heart open and the bough fresh.
The song does return - sometimes stronger and brighter and the sun does shine.
Happy day Lovely,
xx felicity
I think nothing lifts my spirits more than beautiful music. I'm glad God created music.
Blessings,
Charlotte
A beautiful and encouraging post, Dear, thank you ~ Blessings ~
I've never heard that before - Keep the cage of your heart open. But it's so true. When we're open God can speak to us and lift His hand in to pull us out. Thanks for this! :)
Whoa -- I have been just swarmed by How Great Thou Art this weekend and today. Just this afternoon, alone in my empty house, I was belting this out so that I could get rid of some of my own "d." Love coming here -- I always feel so affirmed!
thank you, Pamela. Today has been a very depressing day. The bad part is: there is no reason. I have just begin writing an 8 week bible study for our ladies group, and have a few other speaking engagements on my schedule. I stayed home today, so excited to just study, but depression swept over me and I couldn't concentrate on anything. I have never had that before. I'm wondering if it is a spiritual attack. But...the RX is the same: God's word. It was so nice to hear you and others write of the same thing and to know I am not alone.
LORD bless you Pamela for sharing and thereby, encouraging others. Sometimes the road to healing lies in allowing GOD to use us for others.
Yeah, I had a different song in my head before reading your post, but your post took away my song and had me singing How Great Thou Art and It is Well with my Soul.
So encouraging and hopeful. Thank you. In the midst of those times of sadness, it's good to be reminded to look up. Great post.
true and good and helpful words. thanks for the sharing this day.
That proverb is beautiful, Pamela...and so true. Keeping a song in my heart is sometimes a difficult task. You give good advice and encouragement here. And sometimes, I find, that when I am a wee bit blue, lifting voice in song is just the prescription.
Keeping my bough fresh...hugs to you.
Your words instill sweetness and hope in our awesome God. I expressed thoughts on what to do in the joyless times,also, this week.(You'll notice how you inspired me from your post earlier on Defiant Joy)
We're never joyless with his life in us, but it does often feel like the joy has leaked out.
Music is so much a part of our being and times of D make that so evident. He gives us a song in the night!!
Thank you, friend.
So beautiful...and timely for me to read :)
What an absolutely beautiful post, one that touched my heart. No matter how close our walk with God is, there will be days or a stretch of days when dread settles in and we're out of sorts. Thank you for the reminder that it's okay, that the storm will pass, and offer suggestions as we wait out the storm. I was in one of those "storms" recently but am doing much better now.
Thanks so much Pamela for your prayers and always offering an encouraging word. ~ Abby
What a beautiful post! I can so relate ~ I have struggled with depression and that "empty" feeling for most of my life. God is so good, though, because my depression and sense of emptiness has become my que to go be alone with Him and get filled up on Him ~ He has been the best prozac in the world!!! I have learned to welcome depressed feelings because they lead me to the cross where I find comfort, assurance and true hope for the future!! Thank you so much for this well-written, eloquent post...I just seem to love all your posts....I could be in here all night!!
Wonderful thoughts. I find that songs of praise and worship can squash out the negative and restore joy. Thank you for sharing
The hymn "It is well" comes to my mind while reading your post - the writer suffered so much tragedy in a short amount of time, and wrote over the very waves that claimed his wife and child's lives:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
when sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul
singing and writing out things i'm thankful for, things that make me happy or things that make me smile - or remember and looking at photos helps me when my depression kicks in.
nasty stuff - depression, so thankful for Gods mercy and grace
@spreadingJOY
spreading-joy.org
sometimes just reminding myself of how much God has blessed me with helps :D
Songs like this always lift my spirits when I'm down. Thanks for sharing.
Such beautiful words. I use music to help me pull me through dark periods, too.
Amen! I've struggled with depressive episodes since I was a teenager -- mostly due to a personality disorder. It can be so frustrating, wondering why God hasn't delivered me from it when it can be so counterproductive for my walk with Him. But I'm always gently reminded of Paul's desire to be delivered from a thorn in his flesh and God telling him that God's grace is sufficient. I think it makes us compassionate, drives us to prayer, and gives us a heart for the suffering. My own mental illness even drove me to finish my Master's in counseling psychology!
Yes! I love worship music because of it's ability to change my immediate mood. I know how flawed my emotions are, how human and sinful, and music so helps refocus me on my True Center and Support.
Thanks for sharing!
Marissa
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Oh yes we need a song in our hearts. Often my husband (as a worship leader) will try to instill in people the fact that we need to worship even when we are down because it is obedience to God and not just feelings, then the Spirit of God can work wonders in us through that worship.
So beautiful! Needed this <3 THank you
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