With the holidays behind us life should be turning back to “normal.” But I know for many, they were brought down by the blues or depression because of the holidays and cannot seem to find “normal.” I believe the holidays remind us of how lonely many of us are.
Dr. Robert McGee, author of Search for Significance wrote, “Loneliness has already reached epidemic proportions … 92% of Christians attending a Bible conference admitted that feelings of loneliness are a major problem in their lives. All shared a basic symptom: a sense of despair at feeling unloved and fear of being unwanted or unaccepted. ”
What a tragic commentary. A study published in the journal, The Archives of General Psychiatry suggested that about one in four people diagnosed with depression might instead be struggling with emotions associated with the loss of a loved one, or a job, or some other event in the person's life-- the blues. Many people describe themselves as depressed when they are really discouraged or unhappy or lonely.
Depression can be brought on by biochemistry as well as the loss of a loved one, unemployment, or even a bout of ill health. When we lose the ability to enjoy things, or feel badly about ourselves, believing we do not deserve to be happy, or feel guilty for no reason, or blame ourselves for something we had no part in, this is when we are likely to experience depression. Depression goes beyond the blues. Depression is generally a result of anger turned inward and/or a deep sense of loss.
You may have the blues, or be genuinely depressed. In either case, lost in your feelings you are clinging to a thread of hope that something or someone will break through the fog of despair because we all have the desire to have joy in our lives. But I have good news! God is throwing your soul an anchor.
If we don’t have union with God, life holds no hope. Recovery simply means recovering God’s plan for our life. It takes courage to step forward and say, “I want help to be free from my burdens.” This journey requires we follow God willingly, and trust him to lead us safely through the pain and around unseen obstacles. He knows the safest and best route. The word journey is repeated to convey that change doesn’t happen overnight. God doesn’t always work in the way that seems most logical to us. Instead of guiding the Israelites along the most direct route from Egypt to the Promised Land, He took them on a longer route.
However, everyday you can enjoy the place where you are while you travel down this road. Nothing is as heartbreaking as wasted grief. We can be determined to learn from it, rather than be bound by it. Along the way you will find out who you really are --God’s Girl.
This is an excerpt from the devotional book: I’m God’s Girl? Why Can’t I Feel It? I would recommend purchasing a self-help book on how to defeat depression God’s way and challenge negative thoughts. Learn to see the world in a hopeful, positive light.
For Christ-based help consider working through one of the books I’ve written: http://www.olivebranchoutreach.com/shopping.htm
• I’m God’s Girl? Why Can’t I Feel It? Daily Biblical Encouragement to Defeat Depression & the Blues
• Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
You may want to seek expert help from an experienced mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Your family doctor is a good place to start if you are looking for a referral.
No comments:
Post a Comment