Pressure, Stress, and Depression

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

Paul knew a great deal about trouble. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t exempt a person from pressure, stress, and depression. Many believers believe Christians should never be depressed. But here Paul—a champion of the early church—was dealing with that very problem. In the case of the apostle Paul, pressure came with the territory of discipleship. He candidly wrote that the pressure was so great that at times, he despaired of life itself. Evidently, he wondered if he would even escape the vise-grip of opposition. As a believer you no doubt have marks to prove that you’ve been there too. When you spend time in quiet conversation with the Lord, don’t be afraid to honestly admit the pressure and anxiety that sometimes consumes you from the inside out. Ask Him to undergird you as you chip away at situations you feel are beyond your ability. Celebrate the promise Paul gave to his friends at the church in Philippi. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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