Since so many people have responded to Tuesday’s post about depression, I thought I would continue to discuss this widespread problem. Many are suffering silently and I think it’s important we talk about what we should be doing during the darkest times of our lives.
I think we can learn a lot about what to do when we find ourselves in the midst of depression from Jacob’s precious son, Joseph, in the book of Genesis. (See Genesis 37-45)
Joseph’s own brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into Egyptian slavery. He then spent several years in prison after Potiphar’s wife accused him of seducing her. I doubt there were any caution lights for Joseph to see blinking before ‘life happened’ and he found himself in the darkest of dungeons. (Bet that was pretty depressing!!)
What I find the most interesting is how Joseph recovered after these nightmarish situations. Not once, but TWICE and neither occasion were his own fault! Both times Joseph came out of the depressing circumstances better and ready to tackle life with a purpose AND A GOOD ATTITUDE.
So what was he doing while he was a servant? (Can you imagine going from your position in life today to a slave in a different country? YUCK!) And what did he do during the YEARS (not just one…several) that he was in prison for a crime he did not commit?
It is obvious that he did not sit around feeling sorry for himself (well, at least not for long). God blessed him in the midst of the trials he endured. I’m sure it was not easy to keep a positive attitude and confidence that God knew what He was doing.
The Lord knows that many times (most of them bad) I question if God cares that I’m in pain. I end up blaming God or trying to make my situation better without His help. This never works. I need to shift my focus from the how and why to a ‘what now?’
So many of us wake up one day and find ourselves in the hole. Yes, we should have heeded the warning signs, but since the world is often such a noisy place, we seldom hear the signals that would keep us from hitting rock bottom.
What do we do once we find ourselves in the dark?
Deal with our pride. We have to let go of the idea that we can do life all by ourselves and that we are in control. Guess what? We aren’t. It okay to let go and let God. There is freedom when we surrender to God and allow him to guide our steps.
Acknowledge our fear. Yes, this world is a scary place. I do not know exactly what to do in all situations and that is okay. If you accept that there is a Heavenly Father that is looking after you, life gets a lot simpler and not so scary.
Embrace the downtime and make the necessary changes. Rest, recover and rely on God to show you His plan.
Depression is often the result of too much…too much stress, worry, going, competing, climbing the corporate ladder, keeping up with the Joneses, and trying to be people we were not intended to be.
We are all God’s children. We are each one of a kind. We are all loved by the One who made us. And we all learn best by suffering through painful situations (it stinks, but so true). Use these dark occasions to understand who you are, whose you are and what you are doing here.
Keep your eyes on the Father, continue to read His word, worship Him, pray to Him and seek His view on your unique situation; because it is not all about us…it’s about Him.
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 14:31 – He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
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