Depressed Friend

Dear Rick, and dear friend of Rick's,

First of all, depression can come and go. Let's pray for the 'go' part now!

But we can help it out the door by keeping our eyes on Christ. Think of depression as a violent storm of the soul. Now you have to walk on water, and the only way to do that is to focus on Christ. He is the Creator and the great Healer.

One of the problems with depression is that we encourage it by focusing on IT and on ourselves. That is wrong. That only feeds into it.

Each life here on this earth is an 'on purpose' life. NNE is an accident! God WANTED you here or you wouldn't be here. And since He does not waste anything, that means you are not a waste, either. There is something He has for you in your life -- a reason, a purpose, a meaning -- which is uniquely suited to the person you are and the talents He gave you.

Sometimes it is easier to lie there and not move, but what a waste of bedspace! If you've been depressed for a long time, then getting back may be a bit slow, but it would be the right and best thing to do.

It's winter now. In your soul, too, dear friend, from what we have been told. But spring comes. It does. Never all in one day, but at the right time, bit by bit. Don't be afraid to go a little slowly, but go.

Remember in the Lord's Prayer where we are taught to ask for our daily bread? Ask for it for your soul, too. Just for today, just for now, the energy and will to do whatever the Lord wants right now. Maybe just change the sheets! Maybe just write a note to someone.

Not one of us has to do more than what the Lord has given us to do this moment in time. And that is a WHOLE lot easier than trying to do or plan everything at once!

So one thing you can say to yourself is "OK, so I'm depressed. It will pass. I need to learn from Christ what it is He wants out of me now, just for today. Then I can do it, go back to bed, and be depressed again if I want!"

I know that sounds funny, but it helps you understand that just this bit, just this time, is all that He is asking of you and what He will give you the energy for.

Get up. Change the sheets. Take a shower. Write SOMEONE a nice two or three line note. Anyone! I like notes, write me!

Then go back to bed if you like. You may be tired from just that much, but you will have done just that much!

And that's important. Then watch for God's next directions. They won't be giant. He knows He has a sick lamb there. He is so gentle!

Rick, if you can, get ahold of the book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller. After reading that the first time, I was so aware of God's love for me, and I loved Him back so much more than I did before reading the book. It's a great start. Read it out loud, a little at a time, to your friend. It will help him get back to Bible and lift you at the same time.

Oh, and by the way, if you are worried about having committed the unpardonable sin, you haven't. Those who commit it are those who have totally walked away from God refusing every truth that has been presented to them about Him. That means they have refused the only source of forgiveness that exists, so of course they can't be forgiven! They have refused it!

In the meantime, He is right there ready to help a cast down sheep stand again, even though standing might hurt a bit at first. But He's there -- and He is faithful to go after the straying ones.

We have all strayed at one time or another, and He is always faithful to restore us. We can depend on Him, knowing full well (as does He) that we can't ever really depend on ourselves!

He's there. He's ready to help. Ask Him what the first step is, if I am wrong about changing the sheets!

God bless you both.

In Christ,
Helen Setterfield

 

As a diabetic, I can tell you that depression is a definite side effect, and it can debilitate one's very psyche. We commonly call it a mood swing. Most climb out of it. The individual must heal himself on this point. The best you can do is to be a friend.

On the unpardonable sin, I would suggest that if he is aware of it, he prolly hasn't commited it. Read those scriptures which lead him to the keeping powers of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Yes, exercise is important to maintaining one's blood sugar levels, as is diet. So, moving about and eating on a regular schedule is vital. Encourge him to do both.

Cheers, and God's blessing as you continue to minister to his physical needs and spiritual needs......you might find both interconnected.

Jim

[ December 28, 2002, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Jim1999 ]

 

Could you possibly get your friend out and down
to your local "soup kitchen" to help serve food?
They need the help, especially during these cold
months after the holidays are over and they are
forgotten--and he needs their help.

Serving in such a place may hook him, and he may
find himself volunteering more than you expected.
I would encourage that, because it will help him
know he is a needed person and a useful man.
Such service helps one be thankful for what one
has. It helps us to look beyond ourselves.

If this is not possible,
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• enlist his help taking food to a local
  shelter</font>
• ask his help to mow a for someone who
  can't</font>
• get him to volunteer for (or start a) clean-
  ing crew at your place of worship</font>
• ask him to help with reading and record-
  ing religious books for the blind</font>

Little things like this, which help him to reach be-
yond himself, will help tremendously with depres-
sion.

 

If your friend THINKS he's committed the unpardonable sin ,he hasn't.

A great remedy for depression is complex B vitamins.

Learned from experience.

 

The best thing you could do for your friend is get him to see a Christian Psycologist. Depression is no joke and requires medical treatment in some cases. a solid Christian Psycologist will be able to determine the best step to take.