Depression, Anxiety, And Doubt - Matthew 26:42

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” - Matthew 26:42

    Humanity is wracked by depression and anxiety and doubt. It is, in fact, part of the human nature to suffer from spiritual depression at times while other times we find ourselves overwrought by the angst-fed panic and so much doubt that we are no longer comfortable in our own skin. In fact, if you don’t think depression is in many ways spiritual in nature, depression isn’t your biggest problem. There is one specific cause for the ‘human condition of suffering’: the Fall from Grace. We may want to argue or contest the fact but we can look to history to see that depression and anxiety have existed from the moment Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” - Genesis 3:24. Within the Garden of Eden, man knew perfection. Now, after his ‘fall’, man was forced out of perfection into a sin-filled world of suffering and death - “By the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:19. It’s no longer about a perfect world. We are no longer, in this life, entitled to perfection. And whatever isn’t perfect is marred by corruption and brokenness.
    This corruption is the natural consequence of living in a fallen world. Humanity cannot escape it. Even the mother of Jesus could not escape it. “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” - Luke 2:34-35. All her life Mary knew that Jesus had come on a mission. The pressure of knowing the future to the degree she did must have placed on unbearable weight upon her shoulders. Still, by the grace of God she ‘maintained.’ Despite the knowledge of her Son’s foretold fate, she recognized the necessity of His ultimate sacrifice.
“Mary answered, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.’ Then the angel left her.” - Luke 1:38. You see, Mary placed all her hopes in the promise she had received from God through His messenger, Gabriel - “And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’” - Luke 1:28. Mary understood that she was the favored one of God and that He was with her! It was the soundest foundation she would ever have and the rock-solid authority for her unequivocal faith. No matter what she faced from that moment on, she knew the Lord was with her.
    And what of the Apostle, Paul? “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. There have been many an interpretation for the thorn in Paul’s flesh. We are not here to determine the proper interpretation but to acknowledge that it was so pressing Paul asked three times to be relieved of his suffering. God merely said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” And Paul, a man known to be content in all situations, was indeed content in the Lord’s surety. He would persevere in spite of his pain.
    Finally, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was not immune to human doubt, insecurity, depression, and anxiety. Remember the ‘Agony in the Garden?’ “And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ . . . Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’” - Matthew -26:37-39, 42. Jesus evidenced His true humanity when (1) He begged His apostles to remain with Him as His ‘support team’ and confessed the depth of His sorrow unto death; (2) He begged His heavenly Father to let ‘this cup’ (His fate) pass from Him . . . if possible. And (3) He returned a second time to prayer to make the same request of His Father, affirming that ‘if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’
    Our bouts with depression, anxiety, and doubt can paralyze us in place. They can keep us from carrying on our normal lives. They can cripple us and leave us defenseless when we are most vulnerable. They can make us strangers to ourselves and our families. They can keep us bedridden and sick for an incalculable time. They can steal our very lives from us. They could have also done so to Mary, Paul, and Jesus if they had not turned to God for help. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” - Psalm 46:1-3.
    Ask yourself just one question: if Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Paul, the Apostle who spread the Gospel, and Jesus Christ Himself turned to God in their moments of doubt and pain, why would you refuse to? As in Mary’s case, the end result did not change as Scripture needed to be fulfilled. As for Paul, he died in Rome never having found relief for the thorn, but His letters, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, have saved billions. And Jesus completed His task despite the depression, anxiety, and doubt - “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’ . . . So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” - John 19:28,30. 
    Pills, diet, and lifestyle changes can’t work on their own without faith in God. And faith in God needs no help.