negative nancy debbie downer doubting thomas

Sometimes overwhelming c ircumstances can wear us down. These dark seasons of the soul can be triggered by a variety of factors. Jonah, filled with anger and resentment, cried, “LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” (Jonah 4:3) The Apostle Paul spoke of a season when he was “burdened beyond measure, above strength” and declared that he “despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8). David, the great King and songwriter, expressed his downcast heart openly in many psalms. The Prophet Jeremiah was very open about his angst of heart in the book of Lamentations. King Saul struggled with a distressing spirit that could only be comforted by the music of young David. Job expressed the depth and darkness of his journey very transparently in Job 30. In Numbers 11:15, Moses was so despondent under the load of leading the children of Israel that he asked the Lord to take his life. First Kings 19:4 describes the great prophet Elijah feeling so hopeless that he prayed for death.

In Genesis 15:22 we read that “horror and great darkness fell upon” Abraham.

Most Christians have experienced a dark emotional pit at one point or another. I remember a season a few years ago when I was carrying a very heavy load in ministry and family life. Although I was endeavoring to walk with God, stay physically fit, and keep a positive outlook, I still awakened very early every morning feeling like I had a 1,000-pound weight on my chest. My mind would race with negative thoughts and it seemed that my moods ranged from ceiling to floor several times in the course of one day.įor those who have encountered seasons like this in life, whether long-term and chronic or short-term and acute, there is comfort in knowing that some of the great biblical figures also encountered dark moments of despondency.įor those who have encountered difficult seasons in life, whether long-term and chronic or short-term and acute, there is comfort in knowing that some of the great biblical figures also encountered dark moments of despondency.

Negative nancy debbie downer doubting thomas