Avoiding the Pit of Depression

Three major causes of discouragement in this life are when our plans do not work out for us, our expectations are disappointed and our perceived desires are not fulfilled.

We hope that our life will turn out a certain way, and when it takes a course outside of our control, we get depressed or we fight tooth and nail to gain control again, which is impossible.

The little nagging issues that arise, setbacks that occur and people who disillusion us will wear our nerves thin and gang up to overwhelm us.

These issues etch away at our positive attitude and tear us down to the point of exhaustion. Rather than to succumb to them, we come up with witty mottoes to discharge our anxiety, such as: "Trouble only comes in threes."

The remedy for plans going wrong is to stop making them.

We can avoid so many negative aspects in life by walking in the Spirit and seeking God's counsel for each moment of our day (Proverbs 3:5-6). We consult God for His plans (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Through prayer, we find out God's desires and walk in His Spirit, accomplishing so much more through His direction, inspiration and power than we can through our own human strength.

God's love, instead of our human compassion, directs us according to His will. ​When we walk in His ways, we find the resources, words and ideas we need to accomplish His list for our day.

We set our priorities according to Biblical principles, and we keep Jesus as our first love. ​As we rely on God's agenda and wisdom, rather than on our human capabilities, we live a life centered in Him.

Prayer:

Father God, remind us to do only those works, which You planned for us before we were even born (Ephesians 2:10). This means that we may say "No" to the good things and the dire needs presented to us, unless You tell us to help.

Teach us that although we may feel guilty for not helping someone in need, even when we have the time and means to help, to obey You and not to step out of your will for them and for us by helping anyway.

As we wait on You, we never enter the pit of despair, because we view all of the opportunities, issues and demands in our life with the eyes of Your understanding and according to Your will for us.​

Thought for the Day: 

Rather than living under the tyranny of the next item on the agenda, or the next emergency, which presents itself, we dispel depression and stress by totally surrendering to God's direction.

One Can Make a Difference

Read: Psalm 119: 57-64

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:33 (KJV)

Satan delights in using stressed out lives, unfit bodies, and exhausted emotions in his efforts to create hindrances in our road to intimacy with God. We are too tired, too listless, too apathetic or too lazy. On the other hand, we just may not feel like sitting quietly, especially when our “to do” list is a mile long. In order to walk in God’s precepts, however, He calls us to choose to sit alone with Him and listen, reading His Word, singing His praises and giving thanks to Him in and for all things. If we seek God first, He will add everything to us that we need (Matthew 6:33).

We have several options other than waiting on the Lord. We can do what is right in our own eyes, we can make our choices in order to serve our own best interests as we pursue our own plans, or we can follow the whim of some significant other person in our life. Sometimes, we can even pursue religious activities and still live outside of God’s will, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt 7:23)

Jesus gives us an example to follow when he emphatically stated, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5:19). Once we realize we are helpless without God leading each moment of our day, we come to realize that this is a vital key to living a fulfilled life.

Psalms 27:14 encourages us, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Waiting on the Lord is as important to our soul and spirit as breathing is to our body. Sometimes, God does not come when we call. We tend to blame our self, and it may happen that sin in us is blocking our communication with God at that moment. However, even David, the man after God’s own heart, experienced fatigue in waiting on God at times, “I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." (Ps 69:3)

When I sit at Jesus’ feet, I receive my marching orders for the day; I find my comfort and my strength; I receive His unconditional love and peace. "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope" (Ps 130:5). Then, as the Spirit of God directs me, I can go out into my world and spend my energies telling others what He has done for me, lending a helping hand to those in need, listening to a broken heart and encouraging one drowning in despair. I want to make a difference in my world, but I have to start by spending time alone with God (Proverbs 8:34).

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I compare my thoughts with Your Words and I judge them according to Your precepts. Help me to live like a thermostat to regulate the temperature in the world around me, instead of as a thermometer, which just registers the status quo.

Thought for the Day:

Make a commitment to change the world around you, one life at a time.