the nature of depression: "the experience of depression has been referred to as a heavy blackness. others compare it to being buried alive. Charles Spurgeon likened it to 'the horror of a soul forsaken by God'. It is a hellish experience when people give up on life or feel that life has given up on them."
factors that may cause depression:
1) physical factors- disease, diet and exercise, genetics
2) outside influences- family background and past abuse, loss and unfairness, deferred hope (Proverbs 13:12)
"the experience of loss is often tied to a sense of unfairness. many Christians tend to struggle with feelings of injustice prior to and during their bouts with depression. at some level, they believed that if they worked hard enough, followed the rules, loved the Lord and served Him, then their lives would turn out okay. they knew, of course, that life would be difficult, but they didn't imagine it could be so unfair... they never thought they would end up feeling so lonely or meaningless."
the process of giving up:
1) blaming others "when we are feeling down and hopeless, there's a tendency to blame others. we blame the people in our lives for not caring enough. we resent their unwillingness to see things our way or to come through to us on our terms. blaming others justifies giving up."
2) blaming ourselves "many depressed people drift toward the idea that it's their fault that life has taken a turn for the worse. they believe they've either done something wrong or they simply feel unworthy. they also tend to believe that they are to blame for being disappointed because they were foolish enough to hope that life would work out in the first place."
3) hating pleasure "those who struggle with depression tend to find themselves in a state of enormous tension. although a part of them wants to stay hopeful, they tend to back away from anything that arouses hope. the pain of deferred hope and the increased levels of despair are just too much for them to bear."
4) hating responsibility "someone who's depressed may feel that because life is hopelessly unfair, there's no reason to be responsible... since life is unfair and the rules don't seem to mean much, they see no point in following the routine."
the reasons we give up
1) refusal to live with deferred hope "while people who are depressed usually feel out of control in so many ways, they do have some control over how much pain they feel. more than anything, people who give up and become depressed are committed to living with as little pain as possible on their own terms, especially the pain of deferred hope. giving up helps to avoid feeling the kind of pain and emptiness that only heaven will take away."
2) misplaced hopes "many who struggle with depression feel despair because they put their primary hopes for meaning and joy in all the wrong places- bf/gf, job, house etc. essentially, they placed their hopes in a false god of their own making- one that could never satisfy their souls (Ps 115:3-8)"
the process of recovery
"recovery from depression is like a gradual ressurection from the dead. the Spirit of God working in us can bring what is dead back to life... it's encouraging to know that God is in control, that He can provide for our deepest needs, and that He is able to renew our hearts in the midst of great despair (2 Cor 4:16). we must understand, however, that the One who works in us is the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17). so it's in the realm of truth that He is able to bring renewal and growth to our hearts.
the process of recovery is built on the foundations of facing the truth, no matter how much it hurts. pain is not the enemy, it's a sign that life and feelings are returning to our deadened hearts."
1) recovering hope by facing despair "as strange as it seems, facing despair is one of the best things a person battling with depression can do... they're too afraid that the darkness will devour them. but as they find the courage to begin facing the darkness, they are able to discover that 'suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Rom 5:3-5). facing despair is NOT an exercise in self-pity. instead of leading to deeper depression, facing our despair can increase a sense of true hope in the One."
2) acknowledging the pain of loss "we can begin to feel the pain of loss when we admit to ourselves what it is we deeply hungered for that has been lost- a particular relationship, or the ability to achieve a dream. identifying our unmet desires and the emptiness of loss and disappointment will likely turn our world upside down at first. but in time, we'll see that there is something worth living for that is bigger than ourselves."
3) admitting the failure of misplaced hopes
4) recovering faith by facing doubt "in most cases of depression, one's faith in God is dying a steady, slow death. many feel that God no longer cares about them. they often feel they have a strong case against God. it's important to realise that God invites us to struggle with (not deny) our doubts to recover faith in the same way that He wants us to face despair to recover and strengthen hope" biblical egs-- Ps 22:1, Jer 15:18, Jer 20:7-8 "jeremiah's desire for and confidence in God increased because he struggled through his doubts."
"struggling with God is no light matter. it exhausts all the energy we can muster. but it's in our exhuastion that we are more apt to be humble and quiet before Him. sometimes we're not ready to hear what God wants us to understand until we pour it all out before the throne of grace. and when there's nothing left to say (Job 40:4-5), the truth can sink in"
5) recovering joy by giving to others (Acts 20:35)
the process doesn't eliminate pain or fear... only heaven allows us those options (Rev 21:4) before it can get better it must often get worse. but those who learn to put their hope in God will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa 40:31)
AMEN!
whew, super lengthy, i've realised, but so true! and gives me hope too! thank You, Lord, for You are great. You are amazing beyond all of man's comprehension. i bow in awe of You and Your wonderful ways. i commit all of us youth into Your hands. please bring us all back to You.
Labels: God above all
