SOME THOUGHTS ON DEPRESSION

These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)

Martin Luther, the great reformer who began the protestant movement, suffered from depression. The renowned preacher, Charles Spurgeon, suffered from depression. As did John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the artist Van Gogh, and, of course, there was Job in the Bible. The list is long.

“How do you feel?” we ask. And what we want is for that person to affirm they feel wonderful, even if they don’t feel wonderful.

What we really need to do is let them know that while we hope they feel good; that it is allowed if they sometimes feel down in the dumps, or worse. That we really do care how they actually feel, and that if at the moment they cannot rise to dance and sing a tune, it’s okay.

It is not to say that we should become a nation wallowing in self-pity. But neither must we as Christians send the message by our words and actions that only the happy and hearty are acceptable.

Jesus did not say, “Go away ye who labor and are heavy laden. You make me depressed.” Jesus, this Master of love and light, this tender healer of the soul did not say this. Thank God He did not say this.
Travel through the valley of darkness and He is with you. Weep and He will not grow impatiently angry or irritated at you for it.
If you reach a point of collapse, He will kneel down and gently pick you up, leaving that one set of footprints on the sand because He sometimes does not just walk with you, but carries you in His arms. And, if you will let Him, He will, as time passes, show you how to think and when and why.
Still, sometimes we human beings need some medicines to aid in our recovery, just as we need a doctor and an operation to do the same.

We need to be able to take Prozac, or Effexor or Paxil without a sense of guilt, anymore than we have for praying about taking chemo and taking it, or praying about a knee operation and having it.

And why not? Do not most people take insulin for diabetes, or aspirin for a headache, or anesthesia before the doctor applies his knife? Certainly God can cure cancer, but does that mean one should not take chemotherapy? Sometimes a minister or psychiatrist needs to continue to be seen.

And again, why not? Don’t most people continue to see a doctor if a physical hurts persists? Should emotions receive less concern and care? To turn to someone who is down, really down, and say, “Stiff upper lip, ole boy or ole gal.” A stiff upper lip is not only stupid, it is thoughtless and hurtful.

To the depressed person, part of that depression is a racing, tumbling time of broken-hearted thoughts bouncing off the soul. And trying to slow it all down immediately is like trying to stop a speeding car with tissue paper.

Therefore, sometimes the best thing to do, if depression descends on you, is for a little while to try to wipe clean the slate of your worried mind.

To give such thoughts some muted silence. Seek an emotional whiteout. Just let the soft breeze of nothingness blow for a while. And then, read John 14:27 and hear Jesus saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Would you like to make someone who is depressed feel better? Then simply tell them you love them and how important they are to you and that you are willing to listen without judging. Definitely resist any temptation to make comments such as “Take a hot bath,” “I thought you were stronger than that,” or “Do you know how you make me feel talking like that.”

When you are beat down and emotionally worn out, even giving yourself a pep talk isn’t worth much. Which is why you just have to keep on keeping on. One psychological step at a time. One Bible digging moment after the other. One more call to the Throne of Grace. Believe in your God and with Him beside you, you can move mountains. You really can.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)

Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/

And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
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And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.

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