First off, I am not a mental health professional. Just a man of modest achievements who pays attention. I like to read contrary theories, and weigh them against each other. Depression seems to be one of those variables that hold a lot of people back.
There is actual depression in that humans can and do suffer from imbalances in our brain chemistry. About 12.5% of new mothers experience post-partum depression, and no wonder. Birth can wreak havoc on a woman’s biochemistry. This is real depression.
Depression disproportionately affects young people 18-25 according to the World Health Organization. Given the extended adolescence that has become the norm starting with the later Baby Boomer generation through today’s millennials, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
I recall a conversation I had with a friend several years ago on the subject of depression as it relates to the Church. He asserted, “If you have the assurance of Salvation, and you know you where you are going, how is one suffering from depression?” I could only agree. Barring a severe hormonal or chemical imbalance, if you are saved, then you should be experiencing the Peace that passes understanding as written by the Apostle Paul in Philippians.
Depression Should Not Be A Permanent State
Depression, in my never-to-be-humble-opinion is for the overwhelming majority of us, simply a dissatisfaction with ourselves. “Feeling” depressed is a variable experienced by all of us. Not every waking moment is going to be demerol fueled state of euphoria. “Being” depressed, is another story altogether. “Being” depressed, or Depression as a condition, is surrender. It’s allowing circumstances outside of your control to control you. It is ceding power to outside forces. I can’t square this with my Christianity.
Depression is your body and mind telling you that you need to improve. It’s also a failure to conform one’s thoughts to those of God. It is a failure to renew our Mind and Spirit – an activity we are directed to do through the reading of God’s Word. It’s often the failure to meet goals that day, that week, or that month. Often, it is the very absence of goals.
Seek Ye First…
For nearly every cause of depression, there is an obvious cure, and it invariably requires pro-activity on our part, not seeking guidance from some charlatan. We can start by cracking open the Word of God. Get to the gym, or do bodyweight exercises at home. Make a schedule for yourself. Talk to your significant other or those close to you and ask where you can improve. As Jordan Petersen admonishes – start the day with a positive disposition – ‘make your bed.’ ‘Clean your room.’
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Take inventory of your life. Pick one area where you are experiencing dissatisfaction. Start small with that single area, and ask yourself, “what do I want that to look like 30 days from now, and what are the variables feeding into that? Once you have identified those variables, ask, ‘how can I effect change?’ Then break each variable down into executable tasks. Now make a schedule to perform those tasks. That’s one modest improvement in your life. The change in one’s mood can be astounding.
Read the Book of Proverbs. You will find many of the principles with respect to finances obvious to the point of eye-rolling. Yet, how many people do you know that don’t follow them? Now ask yourself, how is that working out for them?
Selah.
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