Strengthening Ourselves in the Lord
ICS Daily Devotions

1 Samuel 30:6b-8 (NKJV) But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” ‬‬‬‬‬

Perhaps you wonder if things could be different for you. Is it possible to be “up” in a down world? Will your sky ever be blue again? Does God have real answers? The good news is that God cares, and He has given us real answers through His Word to help us. In addition, He’s gifted and empowered professionals to also assist us.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, take heart that we can draw strength from God, as David did. We can stand in faith and encourage one another, whether the depression is rooted in spiritual, biological, clinical, or circumstantial factors.

If one is taking antidepressants, they should not stop taking the medication because God heals us through medical science too. Taking medicine and consulting doctors are not signs of weakness or a lack of faith, and neither is depression or mental illness a stigma, as they are simply forms of illness, the result of living in a fallen and broken world.

We must not forget the needs of the caregiver. Those caring for a family member with chronic illnesses will face the same struggles, including frustration, anger, and possibly disappointment with God. Providing full-time care can be emotionally and physically draining. Often, the patient’s anger, frustration, and disappointment are vented onto the caregiver, especially if the illness is prolonged, causing both to lose hope in the fight against the illness. We need to learn to appreciate the caregiver through words and actions. If we are caregivers, we should also learn to care for ourselves, including taking time off to unwind and ensure we are recharged spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

How do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord and deal with the varied emotions throughout the day? In her book “Up: Writing A New Chapter of Joy and Laughter”, Beth Jones wrote: “To overcome feelings of depression and discouragement, we have to accept the fact that we are responsible for our happiness. It’s not up to God, our mom, dad, husband, wife, children, best friend, president, journalist or pastor. It’s up to us! We must take responsibility for seeking the Lord and choosing His will….God uses people to encourage us, but ultimately He wants us to be independently dependent upon Him—and Him alone.”

Reflection: Have you been expecting other people to carry the responsibility for your happiness instead of bringing your heart honestly before God?

Sermon Series： 2026 CG Campaign — Up Part 1