2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (Funk)

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. ⁶ But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

When was the last time you were really 'downcast'?  An equal word would be depressed.   You know, I really used to think, probably because of the commercials on t.v. and because of some of my own family history, that 'depressed' only described people who were so sad that they couldn't get out of bed, couldn't stop tears from flowing, and required medication for at least a few months.  Now, I'm not a doctor, but in my own life in recent months I have had some days where I haven''t bed-ridden, but I've been depressed -- I was sad and gloomy and emotionally situated a bit lower than my usual countenance.  The phrase I like to use, that seems a little lighter than the heavily-weighted word depressed, is "I'm in a funk."  Doesn't that sound a little less daunting, like perhaps I might actually get out of this sometime soon?

So two weeks ago, I was definitely "in a funk."  Okay, I'll say it, I was depressed.  As I look at the words Paul uses up there, I can agree that I "had no rest" -- oh, I was so incredibly tired from the busy schedule I like to keep (which I'm trying to work on).  I was feeling continually bothered and "harassed at every turn" from all that was going on at work, and this was creating for me "conflicts on the outside, fears within."

All of this was piling up, and what I wanted to do, like any depressed person, was to stay home where I could pull the blanket over my head, close my eyes and hope it would all go away.  Instead, I had Bible study that night.  So, I called my friend Candice, who was hosting it at her house, but my other dear friend Tori answered her phone (they were having dinner together before the study).  I explained how I just "wasn't feeling well" to Tori and that I couldn't make it.  Like any good friend, she didn't buy that generic phrase, so she dug deeper until I finally told her, "well, I'm just in a funk today."  Her response, "Good friends are the best medicine!  Come anyway.  You won't have to talk, just come be with us!"  Ugh.  Tori, why can't you just leave me in my funkiness?!

I let her know I'd think about it, but really that meant, no I've already made up my mind and I'm not coming.  We hung up the phone, and I began to plan my camp-out spot for the evening, right in front of the t.v.  Well, as I sat down and aimed the remote at the screen, something caught my eye.  The videos!  I have all the videos for the study HERE, including the one they need tonight!  And that's when I knew I was going to Bible study.  Candice lives almost 30 minutes away from me -- if I drive to drop off the videos I might as well stay.  So, I called her again, and she answered this time.  I explained why I would be coming now, and she confirmed, "Well I heard Tori tell you this, but you don't have to say anything.  Just come.  I made coffee!" 

So I went.  Begrudgingly.  I wore my glasses (I hate my glasses with a passion) and a big, puffy vest because I had this rash that was beginning to start and I did not want to have to wear an itchy bra.  Yeah, you heard me -- that's how bad it was.  A funk.  I walked into Candice's house to see two of my very best friends, who both hugged me and then started pouring my coffee.  We talked a little bit about my funk, we drank coffee, then another girl arrived with the most delicious snickerdoodle cupcakes ever, and we all started talking about our days, and soon the living room and kitchen were full of women who love Jesus and want to serve Him better.  

My funk was not completely over after that.  That little rash developed into Shingles (what 28-year-old gets stress-induced Shingles?!) and I suffered through that for the next two weeks, but despite the rash, my countenance was beginning to bounce back up.   Do you know why?  Because just as these verses above state, But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us.  He comforts us, and He comforted me that night.  For Paul, he gave comfort by the coming of Titus.  For me, He gave comfort through Tori and Candice, who expressed "their longing for me, their deep sorrow, their ardent concern for me."  They wanted me to come.  They were sad to see me sad.  And they were genuinely concerned.

See, you and I, and even Paul...we are human.  We are emotional creatures who are affected by our jobs, our families, the seasons, and many other things.  God knows we're going to have some times of "funk," and He comforts us, often through friends who dig deeper, who encourage us to keep going, who make stellar coffee, and who give great hugs. 

As I drove home that night, I wasn't reflecting on what the Bible study was about as much as I reflected on the gift of great friends.  Friendships we have developed over the past 25 years -- you read that right -- next year I will have known them for 25 years.  As I thought about them, their love for me, God's love for me that He poured out through Candice and Tori that night, and His ultimate power and control in this universe, my joy was greater than ever.  Literally, as I prayed on my way home for Him to remove this cloud of depression and to fill me with His peace, perspective and promises, He did.  It was absoltuely incredible!  I prayed, and in moments, the funk was lifted!  He doesn't always answer my prayers that quickly or exactly as I want Him to, but that night, He did.

If you're feeling in a funk today, may I encourage you to do two things -- two things that have worked since the time of Paul and Titus:
1. Pray for God to lift your funk and to fill you with His peace and perspective.  Quote Scripture to yourself, and be filled with God's truth and promises.  It's hard to choose to do that when we're in a funk, but it's worth the effort!  His Word does not return empty -- it WILL do something in you if you choose to turn to it.
2. And also, talk to someone.  Don't be in a funk alone.  Allow others to encourage you by being completely honest about how you're feeling.  They don't have to be 25-year-old friendships, but just go to someone you trust and ask, "May I share something with you?"  We were not made to be islands.

And perhaps you're not in a funk today.  Wonderful!  Let's be people whose eyes are open to those hurting around us and invite them to share what is bothering them.   God shows His love to others through us, when we're willing to be used by Him.  We can be their Titus!

Molly Monroe