Anxiety, Depression and LonelinessSample

## Divine Appointments There are five lessons we can learn when we go through moments of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Yesterday we saw the first lesson: Our inability. Today we will see two more. Lesson Number Two: Learn from the lessons God has for you. Moments of loneliness allow you to learn some incredible lessons. After a great victory, Elijah got so depressed he wanted to die. Elijah found God in the sound of a low whisper. God whispered to him, “I will keep using you, Elijah. You are not only not going to die, but I will put you to work, and then I will give you a faithful friend.” Elijah’s medicine included rest, sleep, food, exercise, returning to work, and friendship. You can find Jesus right there in your room. He never misses His appointments. I have done many great things because God showed me something extraordinary in one of my sleepless appointments. Our anxiety and depression are undeniable circumstances God allows because He wants to make an appointment with us. Lesson Number Three: With God, the end is the beginning. At the age of one hundred, Abraham was near the end of his life, but he was about to start with God’s plan. Lazarus was dead, and God brought him back to life to testify about Jesus. Elijah reached the point where he wanted to die, and that is when he found God’s purpose for his life. God called Peter to be a fisher of people when he returned from an unsuccessful fishing trip. Jesus told Peter, “Cast your net again,” and Peter said to him, “Lord, we have worked hard all night long and caught nothing!” Peter was surely thinking, “Jesus, I am the expert here, do not tell me how to do my job.” Yet Peter replied, “But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.” After he let down the net and witnessed a miraculous amount of fish, Peter fell on his knees, amazed by Jesus’ power to transform circumstances. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be fishing for people.” God changed the story of each one of these persons. God can also change your story. Everything surrounding us can be depressing. Yet God can change all the chaos of selfishness, violence, and lies that the world is sowing for good in your life when you accept the new life Jesus Christ is offering you. Meditate on this today: Where I am standing today is not the ending but the beginning of a wonderful relationship with God.