Depression strategy: recognize negative thoughts, feelings of being low and sad and take action!

Old thinking says: I can do it by myself! Or, we may use Scarlett O’Hara’s method of dealing with reality (Gone With The Wind): “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” God is challenging us not to go this alone. We need him and other people. Think and pray about beginning to connect with friends and church if you aren’t doing so. A small fellowship group or Bible study is an excellent resource for sharing, encouragement, and comfort. God wants all of us to be in an environment where we can experience his love through our relationships with other believers.

Secondly, you may feel now is the time to talk to a professional therapist. A special notation if you are coping with sexual abuse: you may believe because the abuse happened decades ago, there is nothing you can do about it now. Ignoring painful feelings may have been adaptive at the time the abuse happened (a child lacks control over the abuse). However, continuing to avoid bad feelings as an adult can lead women to stay in painful situations. Ignoring the abuse can put you at further risk for depression.

Guidelines for finding a counselor:

Seek a counselor that is Christian, or offers a spirituality component. Locate a counselor who takes the opportunity to take you to the Word of God, to teach you about the character and ways of God, to help you see the necessity of total surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. Charles Stanley said, “If it’s (psychotherapy) not based on the Word of God, all you have is just somebody’s opinion, you have some ways or some steps, but apart from God, they’re still depending upon themselves. If you leave God out of it, it becomes: "what can I do?"

Ask for a personal referral. Ideally, try to get a recommendation from a therapist's client. If you can't find that, ask your doctor or pastor for a few names. Look for a licensed psychologist, social worker, or family therapist who shares your values and faith (psychiatrists typically don't do much counseling).

Evaluate. After your first visit, ask yourself: Did I feel heard and valued? Did I feel comfortable? If you answer no to any of these, keep searching for the right fit. It may be a good idea to give a therapist a second chance if you feel hurt or upset.

Finances and logistics. Is this counselor covered by your insurance policy? Is the cost doable? Typically, psychologists are most expensive, followed by social workers and family therapists. Is the office location convenient for you?
This is an excerpt from the devotional book: I’m God’s Girl? Why Can’t I Feel It?
Check out my website: www.olivebranchoutreach.com/edindex.htlm for lots of inspiration, Scripture and help.

Battle Depression with Thankfulness

Whether we realize it or not, today we have many things to be joyful for:

 If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million people who won't survive the week.

 If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of twenty million people around the world.

 If you attend church without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

 If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than seventy-five percent of this world.

 If you have money in the bank and in your wallet, you are among the top eight percent of the world’s wealthy.

 If your parents are still married, you are very rare, especially in the USA.

 If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

 If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

 If you can read this, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.