This time of the year can be a joyous one with lots of laughter, excitement, good memories, family and friends, For many, however, it is a time of sadness, bad memories, brokenness and depression.
We all have felt some degree of depression at one time or another in our lives. Sometimes it may be a day when we feel down and don’t really want to leave the house. It just feels safer to stay in bed. Sometimes it can drop us into a deep valley and we CAN’T leave the house for a long period of time? It can affect our jobs, relationships, health and virtually every area of our life.
You may look around and see happy families, celebrations, and others see,ing to enjoy life much more than you do. Life seems to be passing you by while you are stuck in the fog. Have you ever felt this way?
Depression is a big part of the Chain of Grief. It can last for just a short time or sometimes, it can last for years. Depression is more than merely feeling sad. It is a lack of hope. Depression can be anything from a lingering sadness to suicidal thoughts.
It can include sleepless nights or sleeping too much. Some people have an increased appetite and some can hardly eat. No matter what level of depression you might be in, if left unattended for a long time, it can be very harmful to your entire being. Depression can make you feel like giving up and is part of the Chain of Grief. You may come out of it for awhile, and then something will bring you right back down and life becomes a roller coaster. Maybe you find yourself staying alone and isolated more than you are out with people. Maybe the happiness of others annoy you and make you feel you are on the outside looking in. Many people spend endless hours in front of the t.v. or playing video games. Some spend their time in front of slot machines or lying in bed hour after hour. Many turn to alcohol and/drugs to dull the pain. Depression can rule your life in many ways and lower the quality of life.
This is a good time to evaluate yourself.
- Do you think or know you are depressed?
- Is your life fulfilling?
- Do you enjoy getting outside and enjoying activities
- Have you given up hobbies you once enjoyed?
- Is the majority of your time spent alone?
- Do you sense darkness surrounding?
Depression can just sort of sneak up and grab you and pull you down. It can begin with a hurtful situation like a broken relationship or loss of some kind. It can increase by pulling away from others, the church, and maybe losing fellowship with God. It may be the situation you find yourself in right now and you are feeling buried by the hurt and emotion of it all.
Depression can slightly affect you or it can debilitate you. If you have suffered or are suffering with depression for a long period of time and can’t seem to make any headway, maybe it is time to talk to a professional about it. You might look into talking to a counselor, therapist, pastor or another professional. There can also be medical reasons for depression, so medication may be recommended. Don’t let another year go by living in the darkness of depression. You are with so much more.
Imagine what it would be like to live without the chains of depression; to see the positive things in life again, to be able to take full breaths each day and feel hope and joy.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal life, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” II Thess. 2:16-17