I struggled for many years with a cloud of Despair. It stayed with me as I grew up, like a familiar friend. It whispered in my ear with incoherent mutterings I could not understand. Later as a young adult, I would be able to put words to the low rumble. Despair would whisper, "You are bad." or "Your struggles will NEVER change"; or "YOU failed." and "You will never succeed as a person", with many many more. ALL. LIES.
While in the temple, Jesus quoted Psalm 61. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..." and went on to tell the listeners that HE FULFILLED THAT SECTION OF TEXT. His comment brought an uproar to the Jewish leaders. "How dare he?" "Who does He think He is?!!"
One of those beautiful statements of claim was He would comfort all who mourn. He also stated, "and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
As much as I knew Jesus spoke the truth, my flesh would fight yielding its weight. Praise instead of a spirit of despair??? "I don't feel like praising right now, Jesus. My flesh wants to sit on my pity pot. I'm bad, remember? I'm a failure, remember? This dark cloud has been with me for a long time and I'm comfortable with it", I said. The cohorts of hell relished hearing those words from me. But the Lord kept calling. "Praise Me." He would say. Scriptures loudly proclaimed His hope, but I cast them aside many times, succumbing to the taunts of my enemy. Being a very compliant child, it was easy to follow orders. At some point though, the torment was too great and through much prayer from my mother, I yielded to the Holy Spirit. As I put on favorite praise music, soon worship ascended, and the dark cloud whisked away. I found JOY replaced depression.
Was it that easy? Could I really LIVE in the bright JOY of the Lord instead of shadowy gloom I was so familiar with?
Scriptures cried out, Yes! Jesus proclaimed, "Yes!" The Holy Spirit affirmed, "Yes!" The question would be, "Would I be willing to keep up the fight when it would come back?" "Would I be vigilant to keep awake and watch out for the whispers of Despair?" Would I fill my mind with truth to replace the lies?
I have since come to know the devil seeks to get us down. Do you feel this tendency, especially now while we shelter-in-place? Jesus told his followers, "The thief (speaking of the devil) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows)." John 10:10 AMP Bible
Let's remember the early Christians also had to shelter-in-place, literally hide, while they were hunted down by the Romans. Only their passion for Jesus would give them stamina to endure such hardship. The infilling of the Holy Spirit fueled them with strength as they were given joy even while being shaken.
As we all hunker down, Christian, praise Him and let the Holy Oil flow onto your head! Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, as the old song goes. Let Him destroy the black cloud of hopelessness. If we know Him, all that really matters is our relationship with Christ and the promise of eternal bliss. He wants to be our first love and release us of all the mutterings of Defeat and Despair. Will you let Him release you? Will you let His voice from the Holy text fill your mind? Will you put on the garment of praise today?
