BLOG: Feeling a little blue? Down in the dumps a little? Good news! You're normal. Everyone goes through bouts of depression. But that word! Depression! It makes you feel dirty or even worse broken. Then when you research it, you read statements like mild to moderate depression, severe to acute or self-destructive to suicidal. Which one are you?
Ever felt depression because of significant loss? King David did. 2 Samuel 12:15-23 and 18:33
How about Elijah? He said, "I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors." 1 Kings 19:4. Ouch!
Jonah was so depressed. He ran away. Jonah 4:3 I'm sure no one has ever thought that before.
Job suffered. Job 10:1 Suffering and depression go hand in hand. If you are going through a tough time, permit yourself to be depressed. But know that better days are coming.
Moses grieved as a leader. Ex 32:32 Any leader will tell you. When those who are following rebel, it breaks your heart.
Jeremiah wrestled with great loneliness, feelings of defeat, and insecurity. Jer 24:14,18 Ok, he was a hot mess. But he was dealing with a nation that wouldn't listen. God told him how it was going to end, and it broke his heart.
Jesus anguished over, going to the cross. Isaiah told us that He would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Is. 53:3.
So, you're in good company. But what do you do now?
Get real. Sometimes we can be depressed about something that we have imagined. Take an honest assessment of your situation and choose to deal with reality.
Stop it. Now, this doesn't work every time, but it might apply to someone someday. Do you need to remove yourself from the situation? Ask yourself. "If I wasn't here, would this change the outcome?" If the answer is no, move on. Stop torturing yourself.
Accept it. Acceptance doesn't mean that you're not going to do something about it. It means that you're not living in denial. Denial can cause more depression because it prevents you from dealing with it.
Understand it. Often depression has to do with control what we can and cannot control. Ask yourself - "Am I in complete control in this situation?" "Am I in some control of the situation"? Or, "I have no control in this situation?" Chances are it is the last one. Let it go.
Talk about it. Just venting is therapeutic. Find someone you trust to shut up and listen. You don't need a "Mr. fix-it." You need someone with compassion and a kind heart who can keep your secrets.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, I feel blue. I could use your joy today. AMEN
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