God, in the clouds

by: carole l. haines

⁵ The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. ⁶ Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.        (Exodus 34:5-6) God is such a WOW God! I had just sent out an email to some trusted Sisters in the Lord about a severe bout with depression that I have been experiencing lately.  I am seeking medical attention for it, but as I opened up the Scriptures I had set aside to study deeper, my eyes fell upon this one in particular.  As I read this one, I was amazed at just how Precious our God really is.  I have felt like I have been in a fog, in a hazy cloud so to speak, for quite a while now. God knows the reasons for this plummet, and I am seeking Him for whatever I need to do to make things right.  I felt He was encouraging me with this passage by saying,

“Carole, I am in this cloud right with you. I am standing right here with you as you call upon My Name.  I will reveal myself to you in this cloudy, obscured and unsure time of Your life.  I am The Lord, The Lord God.  I am compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.  I will get you through this, as I always have before.  Trust Me, lean deep into Me. Rest in Me. I will come and save you.  Wait on Me. Wait before Me. I am here!”

I have shared this with you because depression is real, it is very real.  Those of us who suffer from it are in need of prayer, God’s great grace and mercy, as well as understanding from others.  If you suffer from depression, please be honest about it, both with yourself, others, and God.  Seek medical help, and spiritual care from God, and other believers.  Depression is nothing to mess around with.  There are many causes, circumstantial, physical, emotional, etc.  You are so valuable, dear friend.  Your life, my life, is worth the effort that it takes to come to wholeness.  May God bless You as You seek His Face.  Amen!