God lives and works today, but perhaps you
don't feel that way because you're depressed about
your sins.
Maybe you feel so hopeless that you can't
even pray.
If so, then today's meditation by Basilia Schling
can help you.
We are all acquainted with periods of depression.
Sometimes we think that we are a hopeless
case.
All of our battles and efforts seem to
be in vain.
Our fetters seem to bind us more and
more tightly.
Other times we've lost courage because we do
not have any physical strength.
Or we are on the verge of losing
heart because we do not have the talents
we need for our work.
Finally we come to the conclusion, I can't
do it.
It's all in vain.
The next step, which is actually already present
in our despair, is always defiance and rebellion
against God.
Ultimately I am accusing Him of giving me
such an unfortunate personality, of putting me into
these circumstances, of withholding a talent from me,
or of not giving me the strength which
I need, and so on.
Yes, despondency does not only make us unhappy,
but it also leads us to sin.
That is why we must pray that we
overcome it.
The first thing our prayer must contain is
the dedication.
That is, we must say yes to the
fact that we are sinners.
We must say yes to our inner poverty,
to our inabilities and weakness.
Since each has been laid upon us by
God, we must accept it.
Let us begin to say with the Apostle
Paul, I want to boast of my weakness.
I want to rejoice that I am poor
in my own righteousness, in strength, in physical
attractiveness, in talents, in popularity.
And begin to thank Him, because now you
will experience His glory, which He will manifest
through your poverty and inability.
No wealth of men can ever claim so
joyfully, so joyfully, what all the poor ought
through His name, both now and in eternity.
Therefore, times of depression are a time of
joy, and depression should compel us to pray
more than ever.
Only through prayer can the despair be taken
from us.
Let us praise God for His desire to
glorify Himself through our weakness.
To Him who made and through His power
will find all wants of life.
There never was one who came to harm,
who trusted in the Father's arm.
That is His own true promise.
He freely gives all things we need.
From ancient spheres we, too, are freed.
For God loves all His children.
You have been listening to a program written
by Basile Schlenk of the Little Land of
Canaan.
To learn more about how God lives and
works today, visit us at our website, www
.canaan.org.
That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot
org.
If you contact us, we would be happy
to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the
Web, please contact this radio station for our
postal address.
God bless you.