Depression, I've learned, is sometimes caused by anger that we keep locked up inside.

Joy explodes throughout the book of Psalms like fireworks, and is the most potent anti-missile defense system there is.

Besides re-arming myself with joy, I need to know the holes in my defenses, the places where I'm vulnerable and where the enemy has successfully attacked me before.

Our trials are supposed to turn us toward God, but we whine and complain and wish someone would turn down the fire so we could have our old life back the way it was.

Scriptures were just words on a page and my prayers failed to lift.

Librarians are serious people, seldomgiven to idle jocularity. The reason for this, I believe, is because we are overwhelmed by the enormous number of good books waiting to be read, leaving little time for frivolity. My personal list of must-read books presents a daunting challenge; I can't even imagine the pressure our head librarian must be under.

You pray. And you allow the Lord to be your strength. Remember the Lord doesn't give you strength. He is your strength.