Job 23

Depression is mans way of handling the devastation that life can sometimes bring.
Life is not ours to control. It is not appointed for man to know how his fate. God alone controls life. We can only place our trust in Him, knowing that He loves us.
In times of trouble we need to hold onto our faith in Him as the anchor that keeps us from floating adrift.
Faith alone pleases God. We are refined in the furnace of affliction. If we persevere we will be gems in the crown of Christ Jesus.

23 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Even today my complaint is bitter;

My hand is listless because of my groaning.

3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come to His seat!

4 I would present my case before Him,

And fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words which He would answer me,

And understand what He would say to me.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power?

No! But He would take note of me.

7 There the upright could reason with Him,

And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;

When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.

10 But He knows the way that I take;

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot has held fast to His steps;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth

More than my necessary food.

13 "But He is unique, and who can make Him change?

And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

14 For He performs what is appointed for me,

And many such things are with Him.

15 Therefore I am terrified at His presence;

When I consider this, I am afraid of Him.

16 For God made my heart weak,

And the Almighty terrifies me;

17 Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness,

And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.

The NKJV Study Bible says this: When Job contemplates the unique power and sovereign freedom of God, he is terrified. To him, God seems to be a capricious despot who does as He pleases. This verse likely describes Job's deep depression, not only because of his losses, but also because of his failure to understand God's purpose.