Between Four Walls

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 142:7 (NIV)

It happens to all of us, at one time or another: we find ourselves in a situation that drags on for so long that we feel trapped between four walls—even if, in reality, that is not the case. This situation prevents us from moving forward, or even from making simple decisions. We become anxious, and depression overwhelms us to such an extent that we feel as though we have finally hit rock bottom. Some even go so far as to believe that the world itself is their enemy, for they can no longer see any way out.

David found himself in this very same situation. Although he was the Lord’s anointed, he was constantly on the run to escape Saul, who was consumed by jealousy. At one point, his own son rose up against him, seeking to kill him in order to seize the crown. There is no doubt that he suffered from depression during these periods. Yet, he did not allow himself to be crushed by despair. He turned to God, knowing that He alone was capable of liberating him from the four walls of suffering that were suffocating him. His true problem was not his misery, but rather the anxiety that prevented him from offering his praise to the Lord.

In the midst of your distress, has it ever occurred to you that your true need is not simply to escape your difficult situation so that you can move forward, but rather to praise the Lord with all your heart—just as David did? Sometimes, our trials prevent us from gathering with our brothers and sisters in the faith. We prefer isolation, for we feel the need to catch our breath and reflect. While it is good to withdraw for a time, it is also always beneficial to make use of this solitude to worship God to the very best of our ability—for the day will surely come when you will be able to bear witness to His goodness within His assembly.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.