The Darkness Of Depression

 

Darkness.
Falling, falling, falling down a dark shaft, unable to see the bottom, unable to stop.
Profound loneliness but afraid to be with people.
Unable to get out of bed some days, other nights unable to sleep at all.
Finding no joy anywhere you look, no activity worth the effort, and yet, so desiring to have a purpose.

The above statements are just some of the ways people describe depression.  There are many, many more, too many to list on this, or any other blog.

My heart breaks for people suffering from the illness of depression. Their illness many times is very misunderstood.
They are told:
"Just get up and brush it off!"
" Look on the bright side."
"Things will get better."
"You could get better if you REALLY wanted to."
"If you loved God, you wouldn't be this way."

All of these statements are untruth. A clinically depressed person can no more, "Brush it off", than a person with appendicitis can take a warm shower to make the problem go away.

I have been touched by depression on a personal level, within my own family, and had many friends who have been affected by this ugly, relentless stalker.

I blog this today to really only say two things:
1. If you are depressed, GET HELP from a health care provider or qualified faith based counselor. Depression is an illness just like high blood pressure, a urinary tract infection or a heart attack! Please, please, please have the courage to ask for help. And know, there are people, like me, who love you.
2. Pay attention to those around you. If someone is depressed, treat them with love, support and respect. Don't judge. The last thing they need is to be rejected by someone who thinks they can cure depression with a simple change of mind. Help walk the person through whatever it takes to get them to the right person for the care they need.

Love like Jesus. Someone's life could depend on it!

Chasing After Their Hearts,
Glenda Johnson

Look For The Light

I was reading John 1:1-18 this morning. I have read this passages hundreds of times. I even have it committed to memory. As I prayed for God to open my eyes and allow my heart to receive what His Word was saying, I realized something I had never thought about before.

Read with me:

John 1:1-18

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (ESV)

I know Jesus is the Word. 

I know Jesus came from heaven and became flesh.

I know Jesus came so that I can be a child of God. 

I know that Jesus is the light in this world. 

It was the light, that really jumped off the page to me today. As I walk through difficult times, the darkness can creep in.The darkness can manifest its self in many ways:

Insecurity

Uncertainty

Depression

Anger

Lack of Purpose

Loss of enthusiasm

Feelings of betrayal

and many other ways as well.

But, there is One that has dispelled the darkness. John 1 says it so well. The darkness cannot overcome the Word. Jesus. He is the Light. That Light is what gives me life. Life free from from all those things that darkness brings.

The Light dispels the darkness in many ways. 

Comfort and truth from the Word.

Bringing people close to you to help point you toward the Light.

Even wisdom to know when you need help from a counselor or doctor to break through the darkness.

Jesus came and brought light. 

It is interesting, as I have struggled with some darkness of my own the last little while, as I read this passage and the Word ministered to my heart, just outside my window the sun is rising and dispelling the darkness. 

Thank you God for the awesome illustration I can see!

Today I am looking for the Light. When things start becoming dark, I will look to the only One who can totally bring the darkness to non-existence. 

Where do you need the Light to shine today? Where is there darkness for you?

Remember, darkness CANNOT OVERCOME THE LIGHT!!!!

Chasing Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson