“If we were never depressed, we would not be alive— only
material things don’t suffer depression. If human beings were not capable of
depression, we would have no capacity for happiness and exaltation. There are
things in life that are designed to depress us; for example, things that are
associated with death. Whenever you examine yourself, always take into account
your capacity for depression. […] Depression tends to turn us away from the
everyday things of God’s creation. But whenever God steps in, His inspiration
is to do the most natural, simple things— things we would never have imagined
God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. The inspiration that comes to
us in this way is an initiative against depression. But we must take the first
step and do it in the inspiration of God. If, however, we do something simply
to overcome our depression, we will only deepen it. But when the Spirit of God
leads us instinctively to do something, the moment we do it the depression is
gone.” CHAMBERS
1 Kings 19:3-5 “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When
he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went
a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it
and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my
life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and
fell asleep.”
Have you ever struggled with depression? Everyone has to some
degree. We often deny that we are … depressed that is. We certainly don’t want
others to know … thing is they already do.
Our bodies shout out that we are depressed. Feeling sadness is normal. Feeling loss and the emotions that come with
it .. that is normal. When Lazarus died
.. Jesus wept over his death. (John 11:33-35) But depression is
something more … depression can become our master. Sadness will pass with time. When depression takes root in our lives it can
affect every aspect of our being. The
point here is that depression should not be our master. We have a choice. The fruit of the Spirit is a result of our
relationship with Jesus. A product of
our intimacy with the Word. The fruit of the spirit is a spiritual result
independent of the world and its influence (While I am writing this I can hear
Haitian Rap music in the background … mixed in the Creole are expletives in
English. A reminder of how the world surrounds us and is constantly oppressing
us … what we see, what we hear affecting how we feel ….)
When you are depressed .. who or what do you turn to? Do you seek out friends who have nothing more
to offer than a kind word … a hug … if you were not a Christian, that is the
best you could hope for … But you are a Christian … you have the capacity to
rise above your circumstances. Every
aspect of relationship with God requires faith.
Rising above depression requires faith as well. Will you need the help of other
Christians? Very likely. But rising above depression requires a
spiritual solution that the world and your best well-intentioned non-Christian
friends cannot offer you. ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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