Wednesday, November 28, 2007

When Things Go South

“I am deeply depressed; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.” (Psalm 42:4 CSB)

Depression is a complicated matter. Not everyone is even sure of the definition of depression. The literal meaning of the word is “to press down.” Webster’s dictionary says it is the state of feeling sad or feeling dejection, marked by difficulty in thinking and concentration, a lowering of vitality. The cause of this is equally complicated. Often it is the result of certain events that take place in someone’s life, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or some kind of failure. It can also be brought about by anger that is not handled adequately. At least one definition or description of depression is “anger turned inward.” Someone gets angry at someone else, and rather than deal with the anger appropriately, the individual turns it inward toward himself or herself, resulting in a state of depression. And, of course, we know also that depression is the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. This can be the result of events that take place as mentioned above, but it can also simply be physiological, that is, the result of a lack of the right nutrition, or changes in one’s physical wellness. We call this “clinical depression.”

Clinical depression is treated adequately these days with medications that help the brain to restore its natural level of hormones that normally fight depression. Depression that is not clinical in nature, however, does not have to be treated by this method. It probably is treated this way all too often, but there is a spiritual treatment the Bible prescribes for depression that comes as the result of some loss or trauma. The prescription, which David used successfully, was to remember the Lord.

Even with the medical treatment of clinical depression, remembering the Lord is still the way to go. When we remember that God has been good to us and has “rescued” us time and time again, possibly without our even knowing it, this has a way of restoring some spiritual and emotional equilibrium. Remembering that God is with us and is able to strengthen and help us creates in us a sense of hope. It points us toward a “light at the end of the tunnel,” so to speak.

If you find yourself dealing with some depression that is impacting your vitality, the road to recovery begins with remembering the Lord.

Lord, Turn our hearts and our minds to You in this day, and help us to remember that not only are You with us, but that You sustain us and give us hope. Amen.

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