DEPRESSION'S FAULT

Depression may not always be your fault. Sometimes depression is brought on through a wrongful deed or un-repented act. But not all depression is the result of some wrong decision that was made. If you have rightful cause in your life, for something that you have done, that brings you depression, allow your remorse to lead you to confession, and understand that when you bring your mistake or sin to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, then you have only to forget it and move on! While there is a lot of wisdom in the latter part of that statement, forget it and move on, sometimes that is much easier said than done, huh? Often times depression will continue because there may be a root of the cause of depression that can be held on to and when we do not cut or sever that cord, we stay connected to the root, which will always cause its tentacles to grow back reaching up and keeping the process of being depressed an ongoing event in our lives. Depression can come upon us when we least expect it. It can be devastating to not only the one experiencing the depression but to our families and loved ones as well. I know this because I have not only counseled women, who have gone through cycles of depression,  but I myself, have lived through the horrors of depression.

Knowing why and how we become depressed will help us to realize what it will take to get through and over it. Many times, we can find ourselves slap dab in the middle of depression wondering how we got there. When that happens, getting another perspective can be very helpful. There is no shame in needing someone to walk through our depression with us and giving us godly advice. We can often times feel tremendous guilt over feeling or being depressed. We feel that we have let down both God and our family because we may not seem to be able to get a good grip on our depression. The secrecy of being depressed  can even become a priority, because we do not want other people to know that we seem to have lost our joy or control over our emotions, especially if we are a Christian. But at some point, it’s time to end the guilt feelings and deal with the depression.

Jesus never condemned a sad person, rather, he identified with grief and sadness as when he wept over Lazarus. There are some very common causes of depression  that are not tied to sin or wrong doing in our lives and it is best to determine this before a person beats themselves up spiritually. Some people can experience brain chemistry that is out of balance. Their Endocrine system being  out of balance can trigger depression. Postpartum chemistry can turn up to overwhelm women years after they have had a baby and cause them to go into overload emotionally. An undiagnosed condition can exists such as fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, low thyroid, chronic fatigue syndrome or a host of other conditions. Some people experience types of trauma, bad news, death in the family, divorce, an unpleasant event, abuse, or other life difficulties. Some people have a Genetic disposition. People with ADD or ADHD experience bouts of depressions. Unrecognized problem of bitterness, anger, hate, jealousy, condemnation and other serious sins of commission or of omission can blight the healthiest, most balanced of people.

If today you are experiencing depression and feel the need to get help, do! Maybe a visit with a wise pastor that you may know or someone you trust, can suggest a counselor that can help you determine if your depression is spiritual, environmental or physical depression. Once you have learned the reason for your depression and the recommended treatment, you must act upon it in order to get on the road to recovering or simply managing your mood swings. If you do need to be put on medication, accept the responsibility of taking it and do not stop suddenly when you start feeling better. But don’t be so quick to accept medication until you have searched with all your heart and believe that medicine is your answer. Be careful to listen to God, as He responds to your cries for help and remember that prayer is an excellent way to receive wisdom from God for the direction you need to take and for healing in your condition, whether or not it is temporary, short term or long term. Add to your prayer singing, scripture memorization and exercise. I know from experience that those combinations releases the body’s chemicals that help us to feel better.

You are very precious to God. He wants you to know that you are cherished and desires that you feel better and whole, because that is the way that you were designed to be. In Christ, you do not have to be bound by your condition, freedom calls for you in the name of the Lord, listen carefully. "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9. Don’t you dare give in or give up! This is what King David said when he experienced sadness and depression in

Psalms 30, “O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol (grave, pit, a place of darkness) you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” It will come, this too will pass, so dig in to His promises and hang on til you get to the other side sweet friend!

Loving on you today,

Bren