Have you ever watched people who struggle with depression, panic attacks, fear, etc? I find it amazing that some of them can even manage to go from one day to the next. If you watch these people you can see how so many of them allow fear to devour and rob them of their very lives, yet many of them claim to be happy and content just the way they are. I have a hard time understanding how they can live that way but it is in trying to acquire understanding about their situation that I am able to get through my own depression and draw closer to God.
Lately I’ve been fighting off the funk of depression and it is a real struggle because I’ve always been such an upbeat person. It used to be that when I would get knocked down I’d get up and go another round until I succeeded, however, the depression I’m experiencing now is caused by a disease I have in my brain in which the spark plugs don’t fire quite right. The Dr. is in the process of adjusting my medication but it takes time. This minor setback has given me a new understanding and much greater empathy for people who have clinical depression. Clinical depression is much different than people, who sit around and feel sorry for themselves, and it can usually be controlled by medication if taken the way it is prescribed, but make no mistake about it, it is very real.
Going through this depression has been good for me because it has made me get back into the scriptures more and has softened my heart towards people with depression. Proverbs 4 talks about acquiring wisdom and understanding and the softening of your heart. It is in trying to gain wisdom we acquire understanding and from that comes peace. It is not my peace but a peace that only the Lord can give His peace.
I try to remember to praise God daily. When I do he restores His joy within me. There are many scriptures about giving praise to the Lord. A good one for me today was Psalms 105:1-5. I find my healing in praise to Him.
If you or someone you know is going through depression, clinical or otherwise, seek medical help and consider seeking the wisdom of God, because through His wisdom comes healing.
Linda, I feel for you. I have been experiencing the same thing. I guess I have some level of clinical depression. For 5 years I was on an anti-depressant and a few months ago, I went off of meds. I will never do that again. (I take a low dose of Effoxor) I had to step up one notch of the effoxor and it has been a bad month. However, through it all, God has kept me calm and I am grdually getting better. You will too! If you need to talk, please e-mail me..Love, Fran
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