Depression. We all have seasons where all we want to do is speak negatively about anything and everything, sleep more, and avoid life all together. We try to shake it off, move forward, but there is this invisible wall holding us captive. Sometimes we may even feel like there are actual chains around our hands, our feet, and even worse our minds. When we are in these moments the devil tries to tell us that we are alone, no one cares about us, and we will never break free; which is exactly where he wants us. He wants us isolated, believing his lies, and emotionally-physically-mentally paralyzed. Can I let you in on a little secret??? We are not alone! Would you believe it if I told you that even people in the Bible dealt with depression/great feelings of despair? David in the Bible, the man after God's own heart even dealt with depression. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Ps. 42:11 Elijah was discouraged and afraid. “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.”
1 Kings 19:4 Jonah was angry and wanted to run away. “Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3 Even Jesus was full of grief about what lay before Him! (which is more than any of us can imagine) “And He said to them, 'My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.' And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, 'Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'"
Mark 14:34-36 When we are sad, depressed, full of anguish we need to be reminded that we are NOT alone! There are many people in the Bible that dealt with it and many people all around us that deal with it from time to time. The BEST thing that we can do when life brings us down...whether that be through spiritual, mental, physical means... (unless you have an extreme condition and need to seek help right away!) ... is to do ANYTHING! I don't care if it's making yourself get out of your pajamas and into regular clothes...that is a step! Put your tennis shoes on and go for a walk around the block! Read your favorite magazine, go through your house and clean it out, give away some clothes you aren't wearing, journal, watch some comedy, hang out with family...pray...worship...read the word...ANYTHING!!! I know sometimes it is hard to move forward...trust me I have been there...but even if you don't feel like it...move until you start to feel joy. In other words fake it till you make it! Again I'm not talking about an extreme mental condition...please don't ignore it if you do and seek help. But for the day to day depression/disappointment/sadness that comes, just do ANYTHING!!! We are not helping ourselves or anyone else by staying trapped! Draw a line in the sand and SHOUT, "NOT TODAY satan!!! NOT TODAY!!!" Ephesians 5:14 "for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you." Check this song out!
Moving forward with you friend!!! With Love, Tiffany