Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. (Ecc 2:20-23)
Matthew Henry writes: "To those that are accepted of the Lord, he gives joy and satisfaction in the knowledge and love of him. But to the sinner he allots labour, sorrow, vanity, and vexation, in seeking a worldly portion, which yet afterwards comes into better hands. Let the sinner seriously consider his latter end. To seek a lasting portion in the love of Christ and the blessings it bestows, is the only way to true and satisfying enjoyment even of this present world."
When we focus on the negative of any given situation, we fall into a depression. Our feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy can overtake our world if we are not careful. There are times when we cry out for help and feel left alone. Sometimes the depression we experience parallelizes us to the point that we can no longer even get out of bed. We can become despondent and desperate. We want only for the nightmare to end and our lives to become what they once were or what we've always dreamed they should be.
It's not an easy place to be. It's not an easy place to come back from. There are constant reminders of your failure and many times you are labeled by those around you as a "nut job". You take two steps forward and three steps back. You never quite reach the simple goals you set for yourself. What one person considers "routine" can present the biggest stress and panic in your life. Your family and friends begin to slowly back away, not knowing what to do or say for fear of making your situation worse or simply because you have become too much of a burden for them to deal with (that's their problem, not yours - yet it affects you).
Focus on what is true, what is constant and what will never fail - God! Climb! (I know, easier said than done) Don't give up. It may take days, weeks or even years to reach the top of the hole you are in, but seeing the sunlight as you place your hand on the firm ground that is above your head is worth the fight. I know. I've been there. There was a time when I could only get out of bed to use the bathroom or grab something to eat. I could not shower, I could not leave my house...there were days when I couldn't leave my room! Walking the 25 steps to the mailbox was unheard of! Getting in the car...not a chance!
Surround yourself with people who understand, do not judge and do not criticize you. Pray. Ask Jesus to guard you and the Holy Spirit to strengthen you. Find a way even if you feel none exist. God will not leave you in that pit any longer than you can bear. He will not abandon you! Lift your eyes to the heavens and thank Him for the hole you are in before you ask Him to get you out of it!
How ever long it takes, is also part of God's plan. There may be things you need to learn, there may be ties you need to cut. He'll tell you, if you listen. He wants only the best for you. Don't give up - the top of that hole may be there the next time you reach up your hand!
