Is God Enough

Scripture: Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Reflection: One of the cruelest lies depression tells us is that we are alone.

Depression has a way of making us feel disconnected from everyone around us. Even when we're surrounded by family, friends, coworkers, or people at church, we can still feel unseen and isolated. The darkness can become so overwhelming that God's presence feels distant.

But the Bible tells a different story. In the Old Testament, Psalm 34:18 does not say that God is close only to those who have it all together. It doesn't say He draws near only to those who are strong, joyful, confident, or spiritually thriving. It says He is close to the brokenhearted. I have sat with parents, soldiers, spouses and individuals who felt forgotten. What stood out to me during those conversations was that…

Second Kings 5:14 tells us: "So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child's, and he was healed."

I have often wondered what Naaman was thinking after the first dip.

Did he immediately examine his hands? Did he search his arms for signs that something had changed? Did disappointment begin whispering, "This isn't working?" The Bible doesn't tell us. It simply tells us that he dipped again. Then again. Then again. One dip became two. Two became three. Three became four.

Can you imagine if Naaman had stopped after the sixth dip? He would have missed the miracle by one act of trusting God. Yet, Naaman was obedient to the invitation, and he kept dipping, fulfilling the instructions he received.

How many times have we…

Devotional

Have you ever felt stuck carrying shame from your past?

Shame has a way of convincing people they are too far gone, too broken, or too messed up for God to want anything to do with them. I’ve wrestled with those thoughts before too.

But Jesus consistently moved toward people carrying shame.

In John 8, religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. The crowd is ready to condemn her. But Jesus responds with both truth and grace. He does not ignore her sin, but He also does not crush her with condemnation.

Have you ever realized you were heading in the wrong direction?

I’ve had moments in life where I knew something needed to change. Not just externally, but internally. My thinking, priorities, attitudes, or choices had slowly drifted somewhere unhealthy, and eventually I had to face it honestly.

That’s the heart of repentance.

A lot of people hear the word “repentance” and immediately think of guilt, anger, or condemnation. But biblically, repentance simply means turning around. It’s recognizing we’ve been walking away from God and choosing to move toward Him instead.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. After wasting his inheritance and reaching rock bottom, the son decides to return home. What’s amazing is not just the son’s decision to turn around. It’s the father’s response when he does.

The father runs toward him.