Thirsting for God

As you know, I completed the 40 Days of Intentional Living journey last week. Then last weekend I celebrated! It was a glorious weekend filled with family, food, and fun! Monday morning, I got up around 5 a.m. There I sat: tired!

I wondered if I were experiencing a self-induced sugar coma. Easter was the day before. I didn’t hold back from ingesting plenty of jelly beans and chocolate. I figured I was experiencing the consequences of sugar in my system after not having sugar for 40 days.

Perhaps I was, but there was something more serious going on, and God was about to reveal a major condition that I needed to know about.

True Story Ahead

Often the Lord provides songs to me. I believe He does this when He wants me to focus on a particular message from Him. So my week began with a message He wants me to share with you.

As I sat fatigued early Monday morning, the words from an old favorite song popped into my head:

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

I wondered why this song was floating around in my head on Easter Monday. I wasn’t experiencing oppression, loss, or feeling far from God, especially after spending an intense 40 days with Him.

I didn’t know why all of a sudden this song popped into my head.

I didn’t figure it out that morning.

Tuesday morning came. Same song. Same message.

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

Tuesday night I spent time with my friend, Elizabeth. She mentioned a song that the Lord had provided her and that reminded me of the “As The Deer” song that was constantly being sung in my mind for two days straight now. She told me where I could find the Scripture that song was written from.

Wednesday morning I got up, exhausted, but I was sitting at my desk at 5:30 a.m. While I waited for my tired body to respond to my first cup of coffee, it happened again:

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

And that, my friends, was my motivation to pay attention. Three times. Three mornings. Same song. So, I opened my Bible to Psalm 42.

I read all 11 verses of that chapter. Basically Psalm 42 is about depression. I’m personally not depressed.

I still didn’t completely understand why God was obviously directing me to focus on Psalm 42, “As the Deer” song, and depression.

Condition of Depression

This morning I knew I’d be writing a blog post, but I didn’t know what it would be about. I even told my husband, “I know I’m writing, but I have no idea what today’s topic will be.”

As I sat quietly and prayed, I know I don’t have to tell you what song came into my mind again.

For 30 minutes, God began to reveal to me some key words:

• Thirst
• Dehydration
• Depression

He reminded me of the numerous serious and interesting conversations I’ve had this week with people from various places in my life sharing their stories with me. Here are what people are struggling with:

• Depression
• Heaviness
• Sadness
• Hopelessness
• Overwhelming circumstances

These are the words these people used to describe what they are currently experiencing or have experienced. Some individuals are even concerned about others in their lives who are experiencing these, and they may not even know they are depressed.

My friends, there is so much depletion being experienced by many people.
So much depression and differing levels of depression are consuming people around us.

Now, I’m NOT a counselor, medical doctor, or psychologist, but I am in tune with the Holy Spirit, and I know when He is turning my attention to something important.

When God Himself puts the same song in me three days in a row and then shows the message of the song in multiple ways all within the same week, I know He wants me to learn something so that I join Him to encourage others.

God revealed many people are struggling with depression, heaviness, and being overwhelmed.

This, my friends, is what God’s message is all about in Psalm 42.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2, NIV).

Now here’s the interesting thing for me. God wants me to take on the task to write about depression.

I admit, I actually said out loud to God this morning, “Are you kidding me?”
You know what His answer was, don’t you?
No, He’s not kidding.

Again, I don’t know what this is going to look like or who all He wants to reach through my words, but I trust He’ll direct the people He wants to encourage.

One thing I know, people are thirsting for God, but I don’t think they know that’s what they are thirsting for. Some don’t even know they are thirsty.

So, I’m going to say “Yes” to God. I don’t know much more right now about what this particular assignment will look like other than to say, if you’re interested in what God is going to reveal about depression through my words, please sign up to receive my blog posts directly to your email inbox.

I personally won’t be posting these on Facebook after today’s post.

I close today with the song lyrics and the inspiration for this new assignment from God Himself.

“As the Deer”
Written by Martin J. Nystrom

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

You’re my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything

I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye