Sitting at a restaurant Sunday after church, someone in our group who knew I just released my latest book Ditch Depression Devotional: 31 Days to Biblical Hope, Peace and Emotional Balance, said he knows a lot of people who are always depressed. “What’s up with that?” he asked. “Why are people so easily depressed?”
I asked him if the people he was referring to know Jesus as their personal savior. Yes. They are saved people.
I answered that it’s a matter of focus. Rather than dwell on our sorry circumstances, and we all have some, a better focus is on the lovingkindnesses God shows every day. There’s a whole section on that topic in my book, and it’s an aspect of God I have studied and documented for more than 30 years.
I truly believe this verse: Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. (Psa. 63:3) Life seems good at times, and not so good at other times. But above that, His lovingkindness is better than life—all the time.
To focus on that is one of many ways to apply God’s command to be sober minded. As Christians, we aren’t to allow our minds to carry us away into the dark imaginations that pop into our heads. We have to take ourselves in hand and guide our minds toward the light.
How and why should we do that? Because we are different. If we know Jesus as savior, we are not the worldlings we used to be. Yesterday I found a passage that gives a blueprint for sober thinking. It’s something to meditate on today.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1Thes. 5:4-8)
I honestly have no idea how those who don’t know Jesus, who by nature walk in the dark, make it through a single day without being depressed. They have no genuine hope. No one can tell me any differently. I didn’t know Jesus until age 15, and before then, I had zero hope or purpose. I would not be here if I had not seen the light of Jesus and received the salvation He offers.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12) It’s simple. Follow Him and you won’t walk in darkness.
You also will find it difficult to walk in the light if those you surround yourself with live in darkness. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)
Let’s go back to 1 Thes. 5:8: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Today determine to live in the light of Christ. You have Him. Protect your heart and consciously put your faith, love and hope in Him. Do it first with a simple prayer, then walk through the rest of this day trusting Him, appreciating Him and hoping in His loving rescue. That’s how to escape depression. If you need a verse to hang on to for the day, Psa. 63:3 would be a great one! You can find a printable version of it (the photo at the top) off to the right under Free Photos: Scripture Pictures.
Jody
PS. You can read the first 7 chapters of my book by clicking on the book link to the right. The full book is available on Amazon.
Comments