Hello all, I'm sorry it has been so long. Today's will be short. Its about Depression.
Millions of people struggle with depression and it feels like, at times, people think that that ends when you come to God. It doesn't and God never promised that it would. He did however give us things to help us. For example:
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
When Paul wrote to the Phillipian church, it seems as though there might have been some trouble with depression. In response he gives them things to meditate on to keep calm and centered. But if any of them are like me, its hard to find good things to meditate on.
I love my family, they're my inspiration for everything, but with the depression, everything is seems dark and tainted. A normal argument with my wife could mean the end of the world. Not seeing my oldest son kills me and the two little ones are sometimes too much to handle. Job hunting sucks and nothing is certain so my family that I love so much becomes a responsibility which overtakes the nurturing hand that I need. I let my worries, anxieties, and problems cloud my judgment and therefore making this verse hard for me to adhere to.
Then I read this passage again.
Matthew 6:31-34
New International Version (NIV)
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I think I've said before that I take this verse partially to mean "live for today." But now I'm taking the whole passage for its meaning as a whole. Trust in God.
I love my family, I'll focus on that. I have my health, I'll focus on that. And if anything comes up that makes me worry, I'll stop worrying and remember that God is there. Always.
