Christian Living

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I woke up this morning feeling a little depressed over my workplace situation. Ever since the team I was working in was absorbed into another department, I have been frequently getting such dispirited mood.

The department is headed by a lady who believes only in top-down management. She is a practitioner of every aspect of what we typically learned from management studies in using negative motivational tactics to get staff working in fear following a hierarchical structure. Her disposition and personality is generally fierce, and she constantly breathes down the necks of her staff every weekly department meeting. Words from her are like fire—hot and fiery, and like storm—cold and harsh, filled full with regular reprimands. The way her staff is handled is similar to the way elementary school teachers treat the kids. It is as if every of the staff owes her a living, and any difference in opinions finds trouble for oneself. Few are willing to put their jobs on the line in begging to differ or practice freedom of choice or speech.

Such is the depressive moods I am faced with these days, which similar feelings have once faded from my past, many years ago. No such negative feelings existed when I began working in this corporation some six years ago. Things have been fairly well with everyone doing their part as a team, working with each other to resolve issues rather than being driven from top-down.

What first came to mind when I woke up this morning, however, was the urgent need to calm down and seek God. I knew in my heart then there was a verse that expresses well how I felt and therefore desperately searched for the Bible verse to calm myself as I cried out to God. I knew I was already late for work, but felt the need to read the verse I was seeking, and eventually found it.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5 NAS)

I then read the entire Psalm 42 and realized the cry in verse 5 ended on a similar note in verse 11 with a difference.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. (Psalm 42:11)

In verse 5, the psalmist cried out in his despair. In verses 6 to 10, the psalmist poured out his heart and talked to God about his agony, sufferings, oppression and adversaries. In verse 11, he acknowledged God's supremacy once again and said he shall yet praise God, despite his circumstances.

Like the psalmist, I cried out to God in my desperation and in Him I found relieve. For even though I walk through the darkest valley, I need not fear, because God is with me; His Spirit comforts me and calms my soul. I will surely again praise Him and continue to hope in Him, for He is my help. I will not cease to call upon the Lord and seek His face in my time of difficulty.

Perhaps some of us, like me, may be facing some difficult situations now and are feeling stressed and desperate. It may be a matter relating to a situation at the workplace or at home, or some difficulties we face working with or for another. Regardless the matter or situation, we need not despair or be afraid, for the Lord is our helper (Hebrews 13:6). What can man do to us if we have God? What situation can we not face if it is permitted by God?

How then should we respond? Do we cry out to God and seek His face? Yes, we should seek God to calm our souls in times of desperation. We should hope in God and not stop praising Him, for He is our help and our God (Psalm 42:11). We ought to confidently say, "the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid."

Help us dear Lord in our times of desperation and do not turn Your face away from us! We need You badly Lord, for without You, we are in despair. Grant us comfort and see us through every difficult situation as we continue to praise You. You O Lord are our helper and in You we will not be afraid.

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