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Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. --James 5:17 Have you ever felt depressed? Everyone experiences some form of depression, whether it’s just the moody blues, a complete chemical or clinical depression, or something in between. It might surprise you to know that some very important people in the Bible dealt with depression. Moses, Jonah, and the prophet Elijah all experienced severe disappointment, disillusionment, and even depression. In the book of Numbers, you can read how Moses, in a fit of depression, prayed that he would die. Elijah did the same. Even great people and people who are spiritually strong can deal with emotional problems. James 5:17 tells us Elijah had the same feelings and emotions that we all do. So if you are experiencing emotional problems like depression, don’t think that you are alone. Don’t believe the lie that you aren’t fit to be God’s child. God wants to help you with your emotional struggles. And His Word will give you the strength and power to deal with it. Read about Moses, Elijah, or Jonah and discover how God can use people with emotional struggles. The Cost of Comforting Thursday, January 31, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:34–37 The members of the early church in Jerusalem included many who had come from across the Roman Empire for the Jewish feast days. Many of them were far from home, and their financial needs were acute. There were no facilities or programs such as we take for granted today, and no real organized structure to meeting urgent needs. But their needs were met by those in the church who had the means to give to help them. Among those who stepped forward in this way was Joses, better known to us as Barnabas. The gift that Barnabas made was not convenient. Cyprus is roughly 250 miles from Jerusalem. Arranging the sale of land from so far away would not have been easy. But because of his compassion for those in need, Barnabas did the work necessary to be in possession of the money so that he was able to provide financial support. Over the years, I’ve observed that it is almost never the “right” time when people most need help. There are always competing priorities and conflicting claims on our time. But to be a source of help and hope, we must be willing to do what is necessary. Paul wrote to Corinth, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). Today's Growth Principle:  We cannot be a source of comfort and encouragement to others unless we are willing to pay the price.