Do you find senior citizens fascinating? I love hearing their stories and their wisdom. This past Sunday I greeted a visitor to our church who was at least seventy years old. She was tall wiry with her hair in a bun. Her skirt was just above her ankles and she had a shawl. Now it’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone wear a crocheted shawl. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had been a librarian or a teacher earlier in her life. She just had the look. You know what I mean, don’t you? When our eyes connected, I smiled at her and inquired “How are you today?” Her reply was quick, without reservation, “I’m too blessed to be depressed,” and off she went as the service began. I never saw her again, even though I looked for her. Anyone who can spout off wisdom in a six word sentence captures my attention.
If you think about her reply, it truly applies to each and every one of us, even those of us going through difficulties. You may be going through a medical nightmare right now, but you live in a country where health care is available and you can obtain it quickly. You might be going through financial struggle and hardship, but you live in a country where churches and organizations are available and willing to offer a helping hand. You might be going through relational difficulties, but you live in a time when technology is so amazing and easily accessible you can research agencies, support groups, and various forms of help.
Most importantly, no matter what you’re going through, you’re not going through it alone. You have Jesus. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us [Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5]. Your friends and family may be too busy to step in when you feel alone, but the Creator of everything promises to be there and be available to you. He won’t just send you on your way and wish you luck; He will walk through the trials and troubles with you [Psalm 23:4]. He’s on your side, on your team. The good news is if He is on your team, you’re on a winning team. John 16:33 says “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In Matthew 5:3-12 we find the Beatitudes. Jesus declares many people as blessed, but they aren’t necessarily the ones you or I would call blessed. Let’s face it, we don’t look at those experiencing the loss of a loved one and say, “Wow, she’s so blessed.” Yet, the Lord says those who mourn are blessed. That is because He thinks differently than we do [Isaiah 55:8]. Things that appear to be problems or hardships may actually turn out to be blessings in disguise.
The enemy would love for you to feel like the world is against you and there is no hope in sight. With Jesus, there is always hope. It isn’t over until He declares it over. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31-39 if Christ is for us, then who can be against us. That’s Good News, no matter what you’re facing today. You’re not alone. You not only have Christ with you, but you have access to His resurrection power in your circumstances. Doesn’t it feel good to know you’re on the winning side. You will stand in victory over your trials and hardships. So hold your head high and boldly declare, without reservation, you are too blessed to be depressed.