Closure on depression. Part 2.

I foresaw the need to have a part 2 for closure because I obviously have quite a handful I’d like to share. My Ink( or whatever writes these online words) would be deficient to put a complete end to this epidemic. Even so, I shall add my pen to the helpers. Always, look for the helpers. The world is full of pain, depravity, evil and all unimaginable vices, but it is also full of the overcoming of these things and more. If you’re buckled up, we’ll be off to the races now.

Both prayer and presence.

The power of prayer cannot be overstated. It is telling your troubles to One who is infinitely good yet infinitely powerful. Even more He is infinitely willing to help. There’s however a little hiccup in our approach to our friends in depression. As you might already know, some nuts are really hard to crack, and when they find courage to finally do, we meet them with a “I’ll pray for you.” As important as prayer is, it should not take the place of us being present for these people. The convenience with which technology comes with has distorted our minds from seeing the importance of personal contact. My point is, if we may, try, try very hard to be emotionally and physically present for these people. Go and see them. Spend time with them. Find something thrilling and or constructive you can do with them. They need both your prayers and presence.

Practical over theory.

I cannot put into words how much I value learning; new ideas, concepts, topics etc. However, as my economics class has proven, even with all the innumerable theories present, it always faintly reflects reality. It is expedient that we therefore educate ourselves with books articles etc.. But all these usually represent the ideal. So then we are tempted to make the mistake of, while talking to a depressed person, to over-theorize their problem. We bombard them with studies on psychology, theodicy etc and forget they need healing more than learning. This is why I am trying to make these articles as practical as possible so that you can try this at home. Lend them a hand more than lending them a book.

Ministry.

As I’m now getting to address you, depression has been or is your experience, I’d like to suggest this as the first one. Now ministry is broad. It does not involve merely a pulpit and a congregation, no. I am suggesting that you find a way to minister to others. We do ourselves great harm when we build walls around our situations and presume we are the only one suffering. The degree of pain in the world is relative and immeasurable especially if you’re not in someone’s shoe. However, it is great gain, not only to the ones you help but also to yourself when you place you aside for others. So take those fruits to that street child, volunteer to do charity, lend a hand to that old woman across the street; whatever your hands may find to do. It is the privilege that we have that while we minister to others with the genuine intention of their good, we minister to our own souls.

Overdependence.

We must take heed that in our interactions, we are not entirely dependent on our associates for survival. As I’ve said before, God did not create us to be wholly dependent on each other for survival. Humanity is innately fallible to say the least. Every time we place that standard on a brother or a sister, we endanger ourselves. Let our expectations on people be written on sand and not inscribed in stone tablets.

Outlets.

This will be my last point; outlets. Outlets will help you when those overwhelming episodes occur. Crying, praying, listening to uplifting godly music( not drowning your sorrows), singing, drawing, sleeping; all these are possible outlets. Let it be something that you enjoy, that calms you down and not depraving. The sooner you discover this, the better.

CS Lewis once said, “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, ‘my tooth is aching’ than to say, ‘my heart is broken.’ Depression is treatable. In the spirit of pointing you to help, I am suggesting that if this is what you are going through, or you know someone going through it, visit Abide.network.Abide.network is a group of biblically grounded, wholistic, trained, Adventist friendly, professional and paraprofessional counselors and coaches. You can be helped.

Also, as the Soulsunshine community, feel free to share where people can get help.

May peace daily find you.