Then Sinks My Soul

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" This is the cry of the psalmist in Psalm 42 as he sinks into the deep, dark waters of depression-anxiety-waters that are, unfortunately, familiar territory for many people. Some sink because of chaotic circumstances in life; some because of uncooperative chemicals in the body. Either way, the psalmist gets it. In fact, in the story of Scripture, there are many sinking saints who surveyed the depths of depression-anxiety and surfaced to tell the tale. In this three-week devotional, readers will visit the Old Testament prophet Elijah, slumped against a broom tree, battling suicidal ideation. They will meet King Solomon, who, despite having the world at his fingertips, concludes, "All is vanity." They will see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, swallowed up in sorrow over the coming cross. And, most of all, they will get to know the author of Psalm 42 as he leads them through the hills and valleys of these eleven verses to provide hope, help, and healing for their sunken souls.