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God & Depression: Lost Job
So far in this series, we have looked at two causes of depression for the writer of Psalms 42 and 43: feeling apart from God and having a lost sense of community. In this post, we'll examine the third cause:
He lost his job
This man was a musician in the temple courts and played a vital role in major festivals. The sons of Korah had a very dignified place, and this son of Korah had lost his. Losing your job, your position, or even your specific role in the local church, can massively affect your sense of purpose. This is just as serious as losing community and a cause of depression.
Men and women were given roles (calling/vocation/destiny) at the point of creation (Genesis 1:28-30). In his gut, man wants to be doing the thing he is good at. It is disorientating to be alienated from the thing you know you do well.
Dramatic change, yields dramatic response
The three seismic shifts in the Psalmist’s life have left him bewildered and broken. He is "cast down" and "in turmoil".
So how does he deal with it? By pouring out his soul, talking to himself, and keeping his hope. These solutions will be discussed more in-depth in the next post of the series.
To be continued.