Down Days

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for

I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” --Psalm 43:5

President Trump has compared our country's reaction to the corona virus to a war. Warfare is fought on many fronts. The physical dangers of this pandemic are obvious, and we see them affect many other aspects of life. Cultural changes and economic hardships are far-reaching and will take time and effort to counter or accept, and some things will be changed when the dust settles. Jobs have been lost: many businesses are not going to reopen, and some churches will close. Some foreign powers are using the “distraction” to further dangerous agendas, and some homeland politicians are trying to push radical agendas they could not advance during normal times. While we are seeing “the light at the end of the tunnel”, what lies ahead as we emerge from the tunnel may be a very different society. Television newscasts keep giving us “confirmed cases” and “total deaths” updates, with higher numbers each day.

I find all this to be very depressing. Sometimes I change the TV channel, and take a break from the news to watch The Flintstones or The Dukes of Hazzard. Sometimes I ignore my doctor's advice and eat a few [okay, more than a few] extra chips or cookies. But it doesn't brighten my mood much, and isn't helping my waistline, either.

One of the biggest side-effects of the pandemic that isn't addressed much is the emotional toll it's taking.

Medical workers are struggling. A military chaplain who served in the Gulf War, now a volunteer chaplain in a New York City hospital, said what he's witnessing now is worse than the desert battlefield. Medical workers putting in 13-hour shifts report being fatigued and often sorrowful. That fact is especially worrisome: such stress can affect job performance, and lives are literally at stake.

Across the country, a major problem is depression. We see confusion, anger, and frustration triggering harmful behavior: assaults, domestic violence, break-ins and suicides are on the rise.

What can we do about it? More importantly, what guidance does the Bible give us when we are depressed?

The first thing we need to understand is what depression is NOT. It is not a demonic presence. When Scripture speaks of “a spirit of” grief or fear, it is talking about the human spirit: one's outlook or mindset. Evil spirits do exist and may try to lead us into depression, but it is our own spirit or heart which needs altering, not a demon which needs rebuking.

Depression is also not necessarily a sin! Isaiah told us that Jesus would be “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” [Isaiah 53:3]. The Gospels record His anger at the disciples and the Pharisees, and His sorrow over the death of Lazarus [even though He could bring him to life again]. He prayed in agony the night He was betrayed by Judas. “Negative” emotions are not evil just because we do not enjoy them.

Jeremiah, a mighty prophet, is known as the “weeping prophet”. His mood did not disqualify him from prophetic service.

Even the Apostle Paul admits to depression, but contrasts it with failure! “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed“ [II Corinthians 4:8-9]. “Cast down” doesn't mean being tossed off a building. It means having a “downcast” facial expression; to habitually look at the ground. In Paul's day, in the 17^th century [when the King James Version translated Hebrew and Greek words into “cast down”], and in modern society, a “down cast face” is considered a sign of depression. But Paul contrasts being troubled, perplexed, and depressed with being in despair, being forsaken, being destroyed. We CAN have a troubled, perplexed, even depressed spirit [attitude] without being defeated – indeed, later in the passage he asserts, “in all these things we are more than conquerors” through Christ.

When we are tired, stressed, confused, even depressed, it can all be for good reason. The Christian is still a human living in a fallen world. It is not the absence of suffering that determines our spiritual condition, but our reaction to it. Struggling to overcome difficult moods and feelings is a noble deed; it's giving up and giving in to depression [or anger, or fear] that constitutes failure. And in our struggle, we should always turn to “God, that comforteth those that are cast down” [II Corinthians 7:6].

So: what do we find in the Bible to help us in the Down Days?

** In Down Days, God will always be there. “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” --Hebrews 13:5

** In Down Days, God will always care: “casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7

Do you give [cast] your worries to God, or try to deal with them as if He isn't there?

** Jesus is already victorious over Down Days: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” --John 16:33

** Jesus has united us eternally with our loving God, and Down Days cannot change that: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” --Romans 8:38-39

** In Down Days, choose to think about uplifting things: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ” 
--Philippians 4:8

“These things” include these and many other verses that should comfort us. Think on them, study them, and rely on them as a way in which the God of all comfort calms and soothes your spirit on Down Days.

Then, when He has aided you, share what He has done for you with others who are also struggling with Down Days. 

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” --II Corinthians 1:3-4

God is always greater than the biggest problem you have.

~ Rick Jones

The Prayer Bible ~ Perfect For Your Reading Children

There are times when it is hard to explain to kids certain things. I know as a parent, I have found many subjects over the years that I just can't get the right words out to explain different concepts and ideas to my kids. I've always been thankful to find something that could help me with that.

This book is one of those things I wish I had when my boys were young.

The Prayer Bible for Children helps children develop a heart for prayer, it helps them to understand what prayer really is and how important it is. They can learn the Bible through the popular ICB translation, the simple translation most children can read and understand.

There are tons of special pages throughout the whole Bible that highlight the most famous and beloved prayers featured in the Bible, from Abraham's prayers to the Lord, to Jesus praying before his crucifixion, to the way Paul prayed for the churches he planted, and so many more. This Bible will teach young readers about a God who loves to hear from them, His children and loves answering their prayers.

I was very impressed with the subjects covered throughout, questions that kids ask a lot, the whys and why-nots, the things that we can't always come up with an easy answer for. As your kids use this Bible, I would highly recommend you talk to them about what they are learning and share with them how you learned about the same things growing up. This is an excellent Bible to encourage the whole family.

Special features include 160 pages of prayer articles throughout the text and 64 four-color pages featuring poem prayers, Scripture prayers and engaging Kids' Q&A's. The full page prayer articles will help children learn how to pray, to not fear prayer, and to see within the Word how and when God's people prayed. The colorful decorative pages will feature kid-friendly scripture prayers, topical poem prayers and fun questions and answers kids have about prayer.

This Bible includes a pocket with a prayer journal for children to record their own prayers and is attached to the back cover of the Bible. It is removable, so it doesn't have to remain there unless you want it to. I think it is a great way to encourage kids in a regular and consistent prayer time each day.

The Bible is recommended for children ages 6-10, but I think there are some things you can take form this Bible and start teaching your little ones even earlier than 6. We started teaching our boys about prayer from the moment they came home from the hospital.

You also have a choice in cover, blue with nifty gold hot air balloons or pink with flowers and a wreath.

To purchase your own copy of The Prayer Bible in pink click HERE!

To purchase your own copy of The Prayer Bible in blue click HERE!

You can enter to win a copy of The Prayer Bible by clicking HERE!

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

Kids Finding Biblical Answers To Their Questions

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

How many times a day do your kids ask you questions you aren't sure of how to answer or you are really busy and don't have time to answer it? Or how about you want to encourage them to learn on their own to find the answers to their questions? Being a former home schooling mom, I tend to lean toward the latter of those. I wanted my kids to study and learn for themselves.

One of the best books I ever wanted them to learn from was and still is, the Bible. Boy do I wish I had this other book to go along with the Bible when they were younger!

365 Bible Answers for Curious Kids, by Kathryn Slattery, is a tremendous tool for every Christian home! Through a daily devotional, questions about God, the Bible, and faith are answered in a loving way that points children to God's plan and His love, supported by what is in Scripture.

As a parent and hopefully some day a grandparent, I appreciate the thorough research and accuracy for this wide range of theological, historical, and faith topics.

 

In addition to faith topics, this devotional addresses topics such as Christian traditions, the historic growth of Christianity, how to become a Christian, and what it means to be a Christian in today's world.

There is a fantastic index included in the book that helps kids find something specific when they are reading. The topics in the index are: time, God, God's promises, Jesus, God's Holy Spirit, the Bible the Old Testament, the New Testament, Christianity, prayer, the Church, Christian seasons, holidays, and traditions, being a Christian here and now, and eternity. There are some topics there that I bet you may have a hard time answering in a way kids will really understand and appreciate.

I love how the book is written in a way that kids can do the devotions alone or you can do them as a family. They can also stand on their own. You don't have to read them based on the days of the year. I think it would be fun to do a topical study on specific things like time, promises, etc.

This book is something I will be glad to give as a gift to several of my friends who have kids. It's a great way to get your children excited about the details and the amazing facts in the Bible.

You can purchase 365 Bible Answers for Curious Kids, by Kathryn Slattery at local retailers or online Here or Here