Post by Les Brewer on Nov 3, 2020 22:31:02 GMT
The D that Destroys
Depression is a state where past and present hurts keep’s one in the prison house of discontent. Depression disables the mind by binding it up with scenarios of doom and gloom. It also paints pictures of victimhood in the imagination. Depression keeps one in the gauntlet of emotional turmoil and hinders them from getting over a traumatic experience which one’s life has changed concerning a loss of some kind or someone. Depression is a mechanism which is part of grieving; but becomes abnormal in the event that the grieving process is held on too long. Grieving is healthy and needed in certain cases; yet when one grieves excessively that grief turns into an unhealthy depression.
Depression starts one on the downward spiral of self-blame in many cases. If one is preoccupied with an event that brought grief into play and that person continues to dwell upon that event; they’re virtually non-existent when it comes to having the wherewithal to deal with other issues in life in an effective way.
Fear is a part of depression because it promotes the negative aspects that can come into play in one’s life. Fear provokes questions that invoke the possibilities of more loss. God has given us the ability to cope with the losses of life in an effective way through putting our faith, hope, and trust in him. Yet I have watched Christians become overwhelmed by depression to the point of becoming reclusive and isolate themselves in such a way that it affects their relationship with God and others. Personal pain points blame at others more times than not. When people become anemic through depression they can never achieve a sense of joy to the fullest extent. Their prayers become faithless and their thoughts are inundated with futility.
As Christians our profession and confession of faith is supposed to be: that we love God more than life itself. We overcome the trials and losses of life because our life is in Christ. When we allow ourselves to be depressed in such a way that it robs us of our joy in Christ; we have inadvertently placed our love for something or someone above our love for Christ.
Grief is appropriate when it is utilized in the design of God. Loss is not supposed to be an occasion of joy; for instance funerals are for the living more than the dead. Funerals help us to find closure in paying our last respects to one who was cherished in our lives. Grief is expressed at funerals as a way to release the diseased person to eternity while we continue to live in this temporary realm. Life is however; not a continual funeral with constant mourning for that loss of a loved one(s).
Life is a multiplex of events which include gain and loss, pain and pleasure, which engender a myriad of emotions. God has gifted us with feelings that extend past ourselves and can reach deeply into the lives of others. Yet those emotions are not supposed to be unbalanced and utilize in their proper perspective places in our lives. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly in the aspect of great mental health which is brought about through our love and devotion to him. When we are in fidelity with Christ; our virtues reflect his virtues! Our spiritual connection is the foundation in Christ; where we build our lives to reflect the love and compassion of Christ toward others.
When we understand how crippling depression can become when given free course in our lives; we must pray for God to intervene and renew our spiritual strength to confront and overcome it. When we see others going through things and they have been subdued by emotional trauma; let us stand up for them in prayer and if possible nurture them back to spiritual vitality through practical biblical teaching. Often we need to be aware of times for a “spiritual intervention”. Because; we are called to be concerned about our brethren!
(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
(16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
(17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
(18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:15-18 ESV
I’ve seen the effects of depression in the lives of people I know and love; I’ve watched how it devastated their lives as they gave in to the debilitating dynamics of it. They were once a productive and positive influence and subsequently became negative and isolated themselves from the very ones who loved them the most. They began to spew rhetoric which was defamatory and abusive; towards themselves, towards God, and towards others.
Brethren; Christ is able to restore and renew our peace of mind and the joy of the Lord. This place in which we habitat is temporary! The Lord never ever said we would not suffer trials, temptations, losses, and persecution. He gives us the mental fortitude and acumen through the Holy Spirit to cope with life! But! We have to turn to him in those times; for there are voices around us and even our own mind can speak to us of despair; trying to advert our focus from God who is able to turn things around to the depressive things which come to steal and destroy our joy in Jesus!
Have faith in God!
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)
Depression is a state where past and present hurts keep’s one in the prison house of discontent. Depression disables the mind by binding it up with scenarios of doom and gloom. It also paints pictures of victimhood in the imagination. Depression keeps one in the gauntlet of emotional turmoil and hinders them from getting over a traumatic experience which one’s life has changed concerning a loss of some kind or someone. Depression is a mechanism which is part of grieving; but becomes abnormal in the event that the grieving process is held on too long. Grieving is healthy and needed in certain cases; yet when one grieves excessively that grief turns into an unhealthy depression.
Depression starts one on the downward spiral of self-blame in many cases. If one is preoccupied with an event that brought grief into play and that person continues to dwell upon that event; they’re virtually non-existent when it comes to having the wherewithal to deal with other issues in life in an effective way.
Fear is a part of depression because it promotes the negative aspects that can come into play in one’s life. Fear provokes questions that invoke the possibilities of more loss. God has given us the ability to cope with the losses of life in an effective way through putting our faith, hope, and trust in him. Yet I have watched Christians become overwhelmed by depression to the point of becoming reclusive and isolate themselves in such a way that it affects their relationship with God and others. Personal pain points blame at others more times than not. When people become anemic through depression they can never achieve a sense of joy to the fullest extent. Their prayers become faithless and their thoughts are inundated with futility.
As Christians our profession and confession of faith is supposed to be: that we love God more than life itself. We overcome the trials and losses of life because our life is in Christ. When we allow ourselves to be depressed in such a way that it robs us of our joy in Christ; we have inadvertently placed our love for something or someone above our love for Christ.
Grief is appropriate when it is utilized in the design of God. Loss is not supposed to be an occasion of joy; for instance funerals are for the living more than the dead. Funerals help us to find closure in paying our last respects to one who was cherished in our lives. Grief is expressed at funerals as a way to release the diseased person to eternity while we continue to live in this temporary realm. Life is however; not a continual funeral with constant mourning for that loss of a loved one(s).
Life is a multiplex of events which include gain and loss, pain and pleasure, which engender a myriad of emotions. God has gifted us with feelings that extend past ourselves and can reach deeply into the lives of others. Yet those emotions are not supposed to be unbalanced and utilize in their proper perspective places in our lives. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly in the aspect of great mental health which is brought about through our love and devotion to him. When we are in fidelity with Christ; our virtues reflect his virtues! Our spiritual connection is the foundation in Christ; where we build our lives to reflect the love and compassion of Christ toward others.
When we understand how crippling depression can become when given free course in our lives; we must pray for God to intervene and renew our spiritual strength to confront and overcome it. When we see others going through things and they have been subdued by emotional trauma; let us stand up for them in prayer and if possible nurture them back to spiritual vitality through practical biblical teaching. Often we need to be aware of times for a “spiritual intervention”. Because; we are called to be concerned about our brethren!
(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
(16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
(17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
(18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:15-18 ESV
I’ve seen the effects of depression in the lives of people I know and love; I’ve watched how it devastated their lives as they gave in to the debilitating dynamics of it. They were once a productive and positive influence and subsequently became negative and isolated themselves from the very ones who loved them the most. They began to spew rhetoric which was defamatory and abusive; towards themselves, towards God, and towards others.
Brethren; Christ is able to restore and renew our peace of mind and the joy of the Lord. This place in which we habitat is temporary! The Lord never ever said we would not suffer trials, temptations, losses, and persecution. He gives us the mental fortitude and acumen through the Holy Spirit to cope with life! But! We have to turn to him in those times; for there are voices around us and even our own mind can speak to us of despair; trying to advert our focus from God who is able to turn things around to the depressive things which come to steal and destroy our joy in Jesus!
Have faith in God!
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)
