DEPRESSION - January and
February are said to be two of the worst months for “depression”.
Webster defines “depression” as 1) “A reduction
in force or activity; melancholy; sadness; a neurotic or psychotic
condition marked by inability to concentrate, insomnia (sleeplessness)
and feelings of dejection and guilt; 2) A period of severe economic
decline, marked by unemployment, decreasing business activity,
and falling prices.”
Certainly Webster’s definitions apply to
the condition, be it emotional or financial.
Depressed people lose force and activity because
the condition reduces their ability to cope with the circumstances
in which they are centered. They suffer gloom, sadness and withdraw
from normal activities and contacts, family, church and work,
finding it difficult to concentrate on the normal things of life.
Emotional depression often comes from financial
difficulty.
Many alive now never suffered through the “Great
Depression” lasting from 1929 through much of the 1930’s.
The youngest (born in 1932) of six children I lived through it,
son of a poor working father. I still remember his words often
spoken, “We don’t have the money even for the food
we need”. Yet, we did not starve, living many times on pancake
breakfast (cheap but fattening), lots of bread & rolls (also
cheap) and corn flakes and milk for supper. Sunday was special.
We had a 5 pound piece of beef in a huge pot of Russian cabbage
soup Dad made. Some might be left over for another meal.
I suffered from depression several times in my
young life, and was almost a suicide twice.
How is it possible to overcome depression when
there seems no way out of the circumstances?
I learned how! When I accepted Christ as my Savior
in 1982, I received “the mind of Christ” according
to God’s word.
Accept His mind, strengthen
your mind in the Bible, glorify and praise
God, be obedient to God’s
word.
1) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)
“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians
2:16)
2) “That ye may with one mind and one mouth
glorify God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6)
“Wherefore gird up --- your mind,
be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
“I will praise thee (God)
with my whole heart.” (Psalm 138:1)
“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things
are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the
LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto
his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not
forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of
thy fathers which he sware unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:30,31)
He promises you will have a life of peace. “And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
