Depression is a topic that I want to approach carefully. Many people I know and care deeply about have and are dealing with depression. There are many misconceptions about depression. One of the biggest myths is that depression means you’re sad.
Truth: People may think depression is just a case of the blues, but its symptoms are wide-ranging and can manifest themselves physically. Common ones are feeling sad, empty, or hopelessness, feeling like you can’t get out of bed, completely losing your appetite, and sleeping too much or too little. “Another one is psychomotor agitation, which is feeling like you can’t sit still or psychomotor reduction, which is when it seems like you’re living in slow motion,” says Goldfine. Excessive fatigue and anhedonia, a.k.a when you no longer enjoy things you used to find pleasurable, also make the list.1Depression feeds the mind with an identity entirely contrary to how God sees us and would describe us. For example, in Psalm 139, the psalmists says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
In Ephesians 2:10, Paul uses the term workmanship to describe our identity, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The term does not do the Greek word justice. The word translated workmanship means, “a thing of God’s making”; “handiwork.” Here it refers to the spiritual creation, not the physical.2 Paul is reminding us that we are God’s masterpiece, the crown jewel of His creation. Depression causes people to devalue what God has created; to force people to see themselves as not important, even irrelevant. You were designed for a purpose. You have a higher calling. Often you are in a place mentally where survival is all you can muster. The emptiness you feel inside is not what God desires for you. He wants to fill you with His love and joy, but depression robs you of that ability to feel that joy and to know that love.
Joy can return.
I am not a Polly Anna here when I say that joy can return to a person dealing with depression. Depression comes in many forms and for many reasons that even the medical profession cannot always get a handle on. Depression can be brought on by a variety of reasons, death of a loved one, a traumatic event in your life; it could be genetic, ultimately a chemical reaction occurs in the brain so that levels of serotonin and other happy-making brain chemicals are depleted. Whatever is causing your depression there is hope that things can get better. It is not an easy path nor a mere one-size-fits-all solution. May you find comfort in the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ from John
21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
I would encourage that battling depression to do not do so alone. Find a support system. Some people see you as God sees you, as fearfully and wonderfully made. They would describe you as Paul describes you, as the handiwork of God. And they would join you in praying that God would help you see your heart once again turn from sorrow to rejoicing.
1 http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/depression-facts
2 Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 345). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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https://revheadpin.org/2018/01/11/how-anxiety-robs-us-of-our-trust-in-god/
Amen!!! Great post and very relatable as I’ve dealt with depression. Blessings
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So glad it was a blessing to you
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Great read! Good information to hold onto!
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Thank you
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Well said, as always. I know some who battle depression are told by some, “Oh, just get a grip” or “You just need enough faith”. Insightful words for a serious problem!
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Thank you brother.
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Reblogged this on Kingdom Pastor and commented:
Here’s some great words from a fellow blogger on a serious subject.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Yep. Spot on! Depression has far-reaching challenges for everybody.
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This is beautiful….it has helped….I suffer from periodic depression that comes and goes and God gives me victory each time
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Glad it did. Praying for you and all people who battle this.
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Thanks
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Beautifully written Keith! I’m not religious, but I found some comfort reading this as its always nice to believe in something higher than us, showing we were created for a purpose.
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Reblogged this on HOW TO BECOME EASILY and commented:
Truly very Inspirational
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Thank you
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Depression affects so many…thanks for bringing attention to an important topic!
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Thank you Julie. Have a blessed day!
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Excellent and helpful post, Keith. Jesus words are not from Matthew, but John 16:21-23. Depression is serious, challenging, difficult. Since we are body, mind, and spirit, sometimes it can help to try to strengthen any one of those aspects of one’s person. When one part of us strengthens, it can help with others. Even that is challenging, but sometimes can be helpful.
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share with us and join us to support suffering young mothers to restore their first glory
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Thank you for your honest perspective here. Depression can too often become our identity and we cannot see past its fog, but there IS light on the other side! We are so much more than a diagnosis. I also discuss mental health on my blog and would love if you’d take a peek. 🙂
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I will check it out
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Wow! So true…yet we still find ourselves maybe and others severely depressed. Sometimes i want to help everybody but my flesh reveals im human. I cant help everyone. So grateful to have read this. May God bestow his favor upon you! Thank you !
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Thank you God bless.
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Your welcome:) May you keep spreading Gods word🌟✨🌟
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Great blog! I love it thanks!
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Thank you God bless. I look forward to checking out your blog.
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I’m having some similar problems at the moment – I’ve not been sleeping at all, constantly feeling sad and stressed, things I used to like doing feel so pointless and it feels like there’s some huge burden on my shoulders and I don’t even know what the hell it is.
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Depression is hard and sap your strength. I would will keep you in my prayers.
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Preach!! boy preach!!
If possible check me out
https://lostgirl17site.wordpress.com
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Praying for you…I have been where you are now…http://www.nearariver.com/letter-to-you-near-river-bj-rae-eagle/
Hope your life improves!
BJ Rae
author, near a river
http://www.nearariver.com
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Thank you. I don’t personally deal with depression. I have people I love who do and I was writing to encourage them.
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I enjoyed your post. I have recently written a short post <1000 words on Impermanence that you may be interested in. https://booksabbreviated.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/impermanence/
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Such a good resource. Thank you!
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My pleasure. Have a blessed day.
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Thank you for sharing Keith. I write a lot about anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression comes with a gift if we are willing to excavate our pain and suffering. Below is a link to one of my recent articles. It would be lovely to hear from you. https://freefallintoreality.com/2017/11/04/the-unseen-narratives-that-obstruct-your-wholeness/
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I will check it out
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Fabulous!! 🙋🏻♀️
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Thank you
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I speak from experience ! You words were perfection!
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That means even more.
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❤️☀️❤️
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Very good article Brother, I am going to reblog this one for you.
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Thank you. Have a blessed day.
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Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
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Hey, sugar cake blogger! I am simply amazed by your writing style and observation. Keep up with this energy. The world needs positive people like you. Much Love!
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Thank you. Have a blessed day
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