day 947-948

“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?” (Ps. 42:11, csb)

The spirit of perversion dis-aligns various elements in your life, and in the previous teachings we looked at how this negatively affects one’s quality of life. In the light of everything that has been discussed it is very important to realise that the pathological condition of depression is something totally different than being prone to depression, or rather, feelings of dejection and despondency. The latter possibly has a medical origin or is linked to your circumstances.

Healing one’s dejected self is an ongoing process in every person’s life. It entails a particular process.

Firstly – make sure that any possible medical or physiological causes (as was mentioned in the previous teaching) get attention. It needs to be handled on a professional level (go see a doctor!) so that a long-term solution to the problem can be found. Do this without avail.

Secondly: stress is undeniably one of the greatest reasons for despondent or dejected moods. Paul refers to it as “the stress which is weighing upon us” (1 Cor. 7:26, NJB). If you often find yourself experiencing such moods, it is quite probable that there is too much pressure on you, and too many things on your plate. The pace of your life, and the expectation others  have of you (or even that you have of yourself!), creates constant underlying stress. Mark. 4:19  (MSG) succinctly suggests that those who are stressed are “… overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.” You thus do not get enough rest, and your body does not get very needed time for relaxation, which is vital for it to be restored. “His whole life is one of pain, and his work is full of stress; even at night his mind gets no rest. This too is pointless.” (Ecc. 2:23, CJB). A despondent or dejected mood is then the necessary result, as Prov. 1:27 (csb) also makes clear: “when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, … trouble and stress overcome you”.

How one handles such moods differs from person to person, but here are a few very good guidelines that might help:

  • You can only do as much as you can Be realistic about what is, and what isn’t, possible.
  • Focus only on the absolute necessities, and cut any time-consuming, less-important responsibilities. Thus – prioritise.
  • Try to subdivide large tasks into a few smaller ones, and start working on them immediately. Nike – Just do it!
  • Consistently keep your eye on the goal, and terminate all claims that are not directly related to it. Be consistent and strict in this regard. You can’t be all things to all people.
  • Periodically review your responsibilities, and/or that which occupies your time. Ask yourself – does this correspond with my main task, or mission, or focus? If not – chuck it.
  • In all situations carry yourself “in simplicity and godly sincerity” (2 Cor. 1:12, EMTV).
  • And then, very importantly: “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly.” (Hab. 2:2, GW).

 

Thirdly: Deal with your difficulty in decision-making. It causes immense stress when you hang around, not moving. Rather do something than nothing. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,” says Ecc. 9:10. Paul presents the following apt guideline in Phil. 2:12b-13: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”. Please selah about this important Scripture. Many people wait for God for the right time and the right opportunity. Jesus says to his disciples: “your time is always opportune” (Joh. 7:6, NASB). This is such an immense truth – we need to hold onto it!

The fourth step of this process: “Banish emotional stress from your mind.” (Ecc. 11:10,  NET). Most of our despondent/dejected thoughts originate from what we think other people think about us. We project our fear of failing onto what we think others will think of us, and ironically we are wrong more than 95% of the time. This causes the build-up of immense emotional stress about something that is actually little more than a figment of our imagination. It also creates fear and uncertainty, and can be particularly destructive in our relationships. Never try to think what others think of you.

Fifthly: start to plan your time under the guidance of God. Make Ps. 31:15 a proclamation that you often voice: “My times are in Your hand …” Start making Prov. 16:3  (Ampl) a reality in the planning of your day: “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Write it down, as Hab. 2:2 says, and constantly remind yourself of it.

These five guidelines are part of the God-given process of finding order in your life, and dealing with a life that is either too full of work and commitments, or too busy. You need to invoke God’s wisdom and advice on the matter (Isa. 11:2). By being disciplined enough, and motivating yourself to stay focused on executing God’s plan for your life, you will get rid of a large measure of your stress and despondency. In Dr. Robert Smith’s book, The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference, he provides a short definition for a despondent attitude to life that neatly aligns with what we’ve just discussed: “Depression is a debilitating mood, feeling, or attitude of hopelessness (despair or joylessness), which becomes a person’s reason for not handling the most important issues of life.”

In the sixth instance – do not function as if Satan is in control of your circumstances. Most Christians are always looking for an evil plot behind every bad thing that happens to them.. If you walk in righteousness it is, as with Noah’s walk, enough to “condemn … the world” (Heb. 11:7). There is not an invisible demonic sword hanging over your head! Satan has already been defeated at the cross! Col. 2:14-15 maps it out in visual language: “the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” Do not honour Satan by seeing everything as an “attack”. As Forrest Gump learnt –  “Shit happens” J

The sixth spiritual principle in this process is a powerful one: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18). Learn to praise God in all circumstances. Remember what we learnt about this in the teaching of Day 79 – you need to praise God in all circumstances, as it is the ultimate proclamation that He is in control of your life and that He makes sure that all things work together for you for good (Rom. 8:28). In this way we learn to eat the showbread of His will with joy (Ecc. 9:7), because God has pleasure in your being.

Follow Paul’s example in Phil. 4:1 (Murdock): “I know how to be depressed, and I also know how to abound in every thing; and in all things am I exercised, both in fullness and in famine, in abundance and in penury.” This definitely counters despondency!

 

  • Selah: Work through this process, or help someone who struggles with despondent/depressed moods.
  • Read: 16-21.
  • Memorise:16:3 in the Amplified quoted earlier (Note the clear synchronicity!).

For a more in-depth understanding:  Read Merlin R Carothers’ book: Priso