PICK ME UP

Pick me UP...

During the course of my career I have spent time with, or worked with people that have struggled with depression. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common struggles in the life of Christians. I would suspect that those of you reading this either have struggled yourself or know someone close to you that has dealt with bouts of depressions.

If you were to study counseling you would find that there are a multitude of theories out there on how to "get over it". Let me just say here - you don't just "get over it". The slide down is gradual, so is the climb out.

"What makes depression so powerful is the totality and the intensity with which it takes over the whole person. It isolates, drains physically, burdens emotionally, afflicts mentally, pollutes the imagination, obscures the vision, and overshadows hope; it enslaves you to its wishes as it weakens the will. In addition, it continues to serve you lies and, if allowed to progress long enough, develops poisonous habits, making death its ultimate triumph." (Fincher)

Scripture gives us examples of people that have found themselves in this kind of despair. If we were then to look to scripture we might just unpack the "key" to unlocking the "chains" depression can have on us. Depression is totally opposite of everything God intended us to be and to do. Depression becomes the opposite of God's goal for us: to Glorify and Worship Him.

Therefore, we can conclude that Worship becomes the prescription for depression. Romans 12 tells us to be "transformed through the renewing of our mind" ~ Worship transforms. Let's take Psalms 77 as an example. In verses 1-6 we see Asaph talks frankly about his condition, in verses 7-10 he gives us his thoughts about his condition. Asaph then tells us of his resolution in verses 11-20: to meditate, to remember, and to consider all the deed of the LORD.

Are you struggling with depression? Do you find yourself feeling Blue? Do you need a pick me up? You can start now to Praise the LORD! Begin by reading and meditating on Psalms 104 to 106. Those three Psalms allow us to focus on "our creator" (104), "His faithfulness" (105), and "our salvation" (106). It won't be instantaneous, but God promises it will transform!

LDJ

Nino Fincher "Depression RX"
www.christiancounseling.com