Sometimes it feels like “life” has been drained from us rather than feeling like our life is overflowing. How can our life be revived? How can we live life to the fullest rather than living a life that is drained and feeling weary emotionally and physically. Depression and anxiety weighs a person down and drains them of the little energy that they feel that they have. When one is depressed then everything in life seems difficult. Anxiety can also paralyze a person and that brings on further depression and stresses. How can a person live life without being “distressed” or “stressed out” or “depressed” or “down in their spirit”? How does a person become revived and strong again on the inside?
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
The first step to living life to the fullest is to know that there is One who cares. There is One who is compassionate and cares about everything that we are going through. There is One who is full of compassion, meaning that He does not merely feel sorry for us, for compassion is mercy in action. Compassion is willing and wanting to relieve a person of their sorrow and troubles and acting on that desire by doing what is necessary. Jesus Christ felt compassion for people because they either did not have a Shepherd or they were living as if they did not have a Shepherd in their lives.
I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. If you want to truly live life to the fullest then you must have Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd. If you are a Christian already, then the Lord wants you to follow your Good Shepherd. When a person has Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd, then they will not continually be stressed out, anxious or depressed.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John 10:27
How does the Good Shepherd revive His sheep? Every person who is a Christian will probably feel a need for revival at some time in their Christian life. How is a person revived?
My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word. Psalm 119:25
Revival comes through hearing God’s Word. This is how the Shepherd speaks to His sheep. His sheep hear His voice through His Words. The person wanting revival must spend time in God’s Word. God’s Word is the Bible. Even the angels obey the voice of His Word so how much more should His sheep, so that they may follow and obey Him.
Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Psalm 103:20
Not only will you be revived but you will be comforted through His Word.
This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. Psalm 119:50
It is the one who comes to Jesus Christ who is revived. When you draw near to God then He will draw near to you. As you spend time in His Word then pray and pour out your heart to Him. He loves it when you pray to Him and He will hear your prayer. The prayer of the humble is His delight. Humility is acknowledging our need for Him.
I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. Psalm 119:107
Do not turn to other things for revival and comfort in your troubles and depression. It is easy to be tempted by other “fixes” but they do not fix your problems but often mask the symptoms and cause the problems and struggles to be ultimately greater. Other “fixes” are vanity, meaning that they are empty and can not permanently help. The Lord is the only One who is greater than your troubles and He can and wants to help the one who will come to Him. Turn your eyes to Him.
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. Psalm 119:37
The Lord will revive you according to His promises. Seek the Lord and you will be glad. He will bring you out of your troubles. He will revive you.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; Psalm 138:7a
Ask the Lord to be your Shepherd. The Lord invites all who will come to Him to be one of His sheep. He takes care of His own. He is the Good Shepherd.
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
Instructions To A Young Life 