This is the second part in a short series designed to equip you to help a friend who may be struggling. It may not apply to you today, but it may soon, and your friend needs you to give them God’s truth.
“Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” Psalm 33:20-22
This past week we heard of yet another celebrity taking his own life. People who seem to have it all, who are touted as being a success, seeing their life as hopeless and meaningless. It shows that the best things this life has to offer is not enough to satisfy the soul. We are created for something more.
While we hear about celebrities battling depression. They are not the only ones. It is all around us.
When a friend is depressed what are you prepared to say? What hope can you give them? This is not about simply having a bad day. We all have those. This is about a friend who feels hopeless—that their world is bleak, painful, and alone. Depression is a dark place that if ignored will spiral downward and overwhelm a person with emptiness and despair. Life will seem useless and not worth living.
Saying ‘I will pray for you,’ is not enough. As a friend who has the assurance of God’s love, you do have something more and something better to give. While you do pray for them, give your depressed friend hope and help with the truth of God.
Your friend needs to hear from you that God is real, that he cares, and what he says is true. Your friend is struggling with seeing their life apart from God. They are struggling with his sovereignty, and they need reminded that he cares for his creation and that he knows them better than they know themselves (Matthew 10:31). They need to know that he is faithful and can be trusted. He does care.
His care comes from his love. God’s love is immense. It is so awesome that it overcomes sin and death (Romans 5:8) to all who repent and believe (Mark 1:15). His love is for all who are depressed and seemingly without hope. His immense, overpowering love gives hope. This is why the psalmist tells us again and again to hope in God (Psalms 33:20-22; 42:11; 43:5, 62:5; 71:5,14—to name a few).
Your friend needs to know that God is near and to put their hope in him. God says when we draw near to him, he draws near to us. A cry out to him never goes unheard. A prayer never goes unanswered. He always responds to a plea for hope with himself. His presence is your friend’s answer. And his presence is most clearly and personally seen in Jesus Christ.
Give your friend Jesus. Tell of his love and care. Tell of the real hope that he gives. Show them by being there for them and by pointing to his sacrifice and his resurrection. Through belief in him, trusting that he saves sinners, eternal life with him is promised which gives hope beyond anything and everything experienced in this life.
The hope your friend needs is found in Jesus.
If your friend continues in their depression, then seek counsel. Get additional help. Christian pastors can offer more guidance.