DEPRESSION

Statics tell us that there were over 33,000 suicides in the United States in the year 2013. This is so very tragic and such a challenging feat to God’s people in trying to reach those that have lost their hope, with the hope that those who have found it possess. Pharmaceuticals often times only mask the real problems of depression, because the issues that causes the depression remain un-dealt with and will only surface again once the medication stops working. If anti-depressants worked as great as they would have us believe…we would all be on them. But because many of those that have tried different types of medications to help their depression learn quickly over time that they are not the answers that they are seeking. I am not recommending that you get off of any medications that you may be currently taking. If your medication is helping that is great, and I am not against medical professionals. They are doing all they can and we are all in this fight together. What I am saying, is that earthly things can go only so deep. Most of our issues run much deeper. While pills bring a temporary relief because they only mask the problem. God’s involvement goes to the heart of the issue. Only the power of God can change us on the outside and deep down on the inside. God does not want you to just manage your depression, He wants to free you of it. Depression is the feeling of “hopelessness”, and the simple cure for hopelessness is “hope”.

The majority of people who suffer with bouts of depression never go to a doctor. They have learned that their depression will pass and because of that fact, they simply deal with it until it does. For someone that has continuous depression, they may need to visit a therapist to help them walk thru those bouts, as they talk their way through them. But every person that ever experiences depression must learn to make the effort and it will take work, determination and honesty! In my own battle with depression, God himself supervised the repairs in my life and restored all the misguided intentions to their proper ends. I had learned that through those dark days, God surely was working for me and on my behalf. Finally I learned that it was abandonment that I needed. Abandonment not to the way I was feeling, but to the God who had my best interest in mind. What I want you to know sweet friend, is that what God did for me, He wants and will do for you! I have experienced depression 3 times in my life….and all were resolved when I accepted the fact that I serve a God who forgives and restores and understand that He has the answers even when I do not. Now, I know better not to give in to those emotions that depression wants me to surrender to. When you acknowledge God’s authority over your situation, you are on the road to victory. Those dark times are the exact times to use your faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" Hebrews 11:1-2. "We live by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7.

 The most significant feature of depression, is the absence of positive emotion. Just a feeling of nothing, of emptiness. I learned in my own battle with depression that people who help others, stop focusing on their own pains, problems and worries and will begin to feel good about themselves once again. Depression is like a live virus that once it takes root inside your body and is not medicated with God’s Truth and or depending upon the severity and type of depression with medications can take over a human life and destroy it, yes even kill it. Depression can come into our lives in many shapes, sizes and conditions. Sometimes it can come in a lighter form of just feeling BLUE. Many times our sadness, downswings in our moods, and even being bored can appear to be depression to us, but is actually, normal reactions to life’s daily struggles, setbacks, and disappointments and not real depression.

 But when emptiness and despair have taken hold of a life and won’t go away, they are left with feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness…and those feelings become more intensified and unrelenting ….and un-normal sadness engulfs their day-to-day life, interfering with their ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have normal happiness interacting with people and life in general. At that point it has become full blown depression… and will begin a downward spiral to rob them of any joy and hope. It will cause a person to want to stay away from people who at one time were fun to be with. It will take away your ability to reason properly and your mind will even begin to believe lies. I reached a point in my own worst case of depression that I could not even think a thought, because I had allowed the darkness in so deep and that I could not even reason or have a complete thought. Now if you never experienced this, then you may think it to be a little weird that a child of God could be in such a state. I know I did and that intensified my depression because I bared the guilt of “I should know better”. Depression can bring on bouts of unrelenting doubt over someone’s life and even their salvation.

 Can God’s people experience Depression? YES, a resounding YES…Christians can battle Depression! You better believe it! Abraham did in Gen 15, Jonah did in Jonah 4, Job did in his book, Moses and Elijah both did and even wanted to die, Saul did, Jeremiah did, David suffered brutal bouts of depression…David felt the pangs of the deepest darkest of depression… David like the Apostle Paul learned thru their situations that When you acknowledge God and His authority over your situation you are on the road to victory. You must acknowledge the fact that while you cannot get yourself out of the state that you are in….God can... His authority becomes your authority. Again, those dark times are the exact times that your faith will need to be applied… use your faith to get out of your depression, it’s your vehicle, get in it and drive away. The scripture says that, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients of old were commended for " Hebrews 11:1-2…… "We live by faith, not by sight" according to 2 Cor. 5:7. When the Israelites were depressed, God called them to put their faith into action. It is a proven fact that practicing random acts of kindness to others, helps by aiding a healthy disposition in our own life and has scientifically proven therapeutic value in treating mood disorders like depression. In my own encounter with depression, I learned that by taking my eyes off the depressed feelings that I was experiencing and investing in others, my depression diminished and God’s power overcame the deep dark depression that I was in, from my past guilt and wrong choices, and restored in me the joy of my salvation. He wants to do that for you as well my friend! Don’t give up hope find someone who has battled depression and let them help you walk through yours! "A friend owes kindness to one in despair ..." Job:6:14

 Loving on you today!

 Bren