“Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.” Exodus 6:9
When Moses sought to bring the people of God out of Egypt, who were in bondage, things seem to go from bad to worse. The work load that he imposed on them was more than they could bare. Moses tried to assured them with the promises of God's word that things would get better, that God would soon deliver them, but his words fell on death ears. The bible says that the reason they didn't listen to Moses was because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. To have a broken spirit means to be so overwhelmed with sorrow that you feel like you can't go on. You have no joy, you have lost your will to keep going, your dejected and feel like there's no way out. What broke the spirit of the Hebrews? It was the physical stress that they were under, as a result of the brutal work load.
You may not be working like a literal Hebrew slave, but there may be other forms of extreme stress that can so break your spirit, that can cause you to feel so despondent that you find it hard to receive words of encouragement from God's word. However, as was the case with the children of Israel, God is patient with us and continues to work in our lives to restore our hope and joy in him. God didn't tell Moses to forsake the people because they, in their broken spirit, were not listening to him. Instead, he told Moses to continue to do what he was called to do, namely to lead His people out of Egypt, and to speak to them and their oppressor, whether they listened or not.
You may be in a position of trying to bring encouragement to someone with a broken spirit, but don't seem to be getting anywhere. Don't give up. God is working, whether you see it or not. It's important to know also that people may first need your presence, a shoulder to cry on, or a ride to the hospital, before your words of exhortation. Job's three friends were too quick to preach to Job in his season of brokenness, and as a result, did more harm then good. But even they wept with Job for seven days before speaking a word. Concerning Job's three friends the bible says, “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great" (Job 2:13).
God's word is the medicine that people need who are hurting. However, it's important that we understand that when people are hurting, they may be hard of hearing. Be patient, be present and pray for wisdom to speak truth in love and for their hearts to be open to receive.
If you are the person who is in a season of disillusionment or despondency, because of physical problems or external circumstances, you need more than ever to hear from God. The external stressors of life, and the toll that it takes on our mental, physical and emotional life, can effect our soul. "Our souls and our bodies live so close together that sometimes they catch each others diseases" (David Jeremiah). There may be times of deep hurt when it's hard to hear the voice of God, to receive words of assurance from his word. We may not feel like reading the bible. It may be hard to focus and concentrate. However we must not go by our feelings. We must turn to God and his word even when we don't feel like. Read it out loud, if you have trouble concentrating. Use a journal and a pen to write out scriptures and thoughts about what God is saying in the text. You must do what you need to do even when you don't feel like it. As I heard Dr. David Jeremiah say, "Don't let the depression get between you and God. Allow it to drive you to Him.
There may be stressors in our lives, like a busy schedule, poor eating habits, unhealthy sleeping patterns and lack of exercise that can effect the body in such a way that leads to anxiety and depression. Our bodies and brains are made up of complex systems that can be depleted, and must be replenished. Remember, "Our souls and our bodies live so close together that sometimes they catch each others diseases." For example, a lack of sleep can effect the minds ability to concentrate. And the Holy Spirit works through our minds to enable us to understand the word of God. Therefore getting spiritually healthy may require for us to make some changes that will improve the health of our physical bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus purchased with His own blood.
Often Christian ask, "Is it sin for a Christian to take antidepressants to treat severe cases of depression and anxiety? I appreciate what John Piper had to say when asked this question:
"God had something to teach Job—who didn't have Prozac—through his pain, and he might have something to teach us too...Therefore, I encourage slowness to use anti-depressants. God may have a way forward for someone before they start altering their mind with physical substances.
However, on the other side, it seems clear to me that the brain is a physical organ with electrical impulses and chemicals, and that mental illness is therefore not merely spiritual. No man could persuade me that all mental derangement is owing to a spiritual cause that has a purely spiritual solution.
One way medicine can be helpful is if it gets people to a point where they have enough stability to read the Bible. Then, through being able to read the Scriptures, people are able to be refreshed in the Lord and, in time, come off of the medicine. In that case medicine is a means to an end, and that seems perfectly natural to me." John Piper.
You may be in a season of hurt that makes it hard to hear from God. During these times, don't neglect the care of your physical body and mind. Eliminate stressors in your life, if you can. Rest. Learn to eat healthy and exercise. But most of all, do not neglect time in prayer and the word of God. In God's time, He will restore your soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment