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PROGRAM D-8458
Listen to the words of King David: “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, ‘Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert. . .’” (Psalm 55:4-7). Would you describe those as the words of a man in depression?
Fran’s friend, Louise, has been feeling depressed for the past month or so, but she has kept it inside and not told anyone because she was ashamed to admit it. Fran has reassured her that even Christians can be depressed.
She says to her, “You’ve heard the name Charles Spurgeon, Louise? He was a great preacher in England, the Prince of Preachers they called him. He fought feelings of depression all of his life.”
“Really?” Louise says. “I figured that a strong Christian would never be depressed.”
“Well, that’s just a wrong notion, so are you willing to go see a doctor?” Fran asks.
“I’m ready for some help, Fran,” Louise says. “I just can’t go on this way much longer. I can hardly get out of bed each morning; I know I’m going to get fired if I don’t concentrate at work better. But I just don’t care about anything anymore—except going home and locking the doors against the world.”
Fran calls a woman at her church who is a doctor and asks her for a recommendation for Louise. The next day at work she gives the name and number to Louise. “Here’s a doctor I can recommend for you, Louise. All you have to do is call and make an appointment.”
But somehow Fran can sense that even making a phone call is too much for Louise. She looks dejected and lifeless today. “Hey, better still, let me call and make an appointment for you, okay?” And with that, she dials the number and asks if the doctor has any cancellations today. Sure enough, she is able to get Louise an appointment late in the afternoon.
“Would you like me to go with you, Louise?” Fran asks. Louise doesn’t answer. “I will go with you. In fact, I’ll drive you. We need to leave here about 4:00. I’ll come by and pick you up.” Louise doesn’t object.
All through the day, Fran prays for Louise and for the doctor to have wisdom in helping her. It breaks her heart to see her good friend in such a condition.
Do you know someone in a depressed state? There can be causes beyond his or her control, and that person needs your friendship right now.