The Cure for The Lawyer’s Depression-Anxiety
Have you ever read The Psalms, in the Old Testament of the Bible? The first Psalm, verse 1-3 is beautiful. It states:
V1-Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers
V2-but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
V3-That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
The author of this Psalm genuinely wants us to experience the truth of God. He wants us to have more than just head knowledge. Have you ever experienced the truth that comes from reading God's Word?
How does that happen? One way is to seek counsel or advice from those who follow closely God's Word, which is the ultimate truth. But if you are influenced by ungodly persons (“counsel of the wicked”) you will not experience the wisdom of God. God's Word commands you more in a certain direction, toward Him.
A righteous man cannot find encouragement in the opinions of others but in God's Word.
The Psalmist states it in the negative:
“How blesses is the man who does NOT walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. (v.1)
In other words, if you choose to join those who are scornful, you will eventually become negative.
The results of seeking what is the truth through reading and studying of Scripture has a wonderfully positive outcome for us. The imagery is so exciting. Verse 3 states:
“And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”
The operative words here are firmly planted. Stated another way, one attains the firmly planted status by reading and meditating on God's Word, applying His truths to our lives in every way possible.
Then people around you, your sphere of influence, will be guided by the Hand of God, throughout your life. And, as Henry Blackeby said in his book Experiencing God Day by Day, (1998), “The more you grow in God's righteousness the stronger you will be.”
Do you feel you could say you have rooted firmly a clear mountain river, producing good fruit in its season and without experiencing withering leaves? If not, then I invite you into a deeper and more regular study of God's Word. This, and no other, will transform your mind so you will not be influenced by the world's negativism and cynicism.