The Joy of Life

     I'm sitting here today, looking out the window at the cloudy sky (which is a norm for Oregon), wondering what makes one person find joy in their surroundings and another find desolation. I've found that no matter where I go, I can find joy in my surroundings. I'm so thankful to be able to do that, although, I have to give full credit to God for that.
     When I look outside and see storm clouds, I feel a sense of comfort. The kind you feel when you are curled up next to a fire with a nice hot mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate (extra marshmallows, of course). And, when I look outside and see the sun shining in the big blue sky, I feel a sense of excitement, as if I'm about to embark on an adventure.
     So, my question is, why do some people become depressed with their surroundings and yearn for change? How does a person drag themselves out of the depths of depression caused by their surroundings? Is there anything I, as a friend, spouse or colleague can do to alleviate that feeling?

     I'm no stranger to depression. I've been there several times, as a matter of fact. I truly believe it is a sickness, brought on by a chemical imbalance, in many cases. I find myself falling into a depression when there is a significant life change, such as a move, or a new relationship that doesn't quite click with the lifestyle that I'm accustomed to. Or, when I have too much on my plate and I feel that I'm letting the people that I care about most, down.
     It's easy enough for others to say, when you're a believer, that all you need to do is focus more on God and turn it all over to Him. That is totally true, but the fact of the matter is, when I've been depressed, all I do is focus on God, read the Bible and pray. But I also know, that when I'm in a full fledged depression, I've never felt so separated from God, even though I'm in constant prayer and meditation on Him. The feeling is, almost like, an out of body experience. You know what you need to do to change things, but you have the inability to do it. The temporary solution is always to run away from whatever is causing this depression or curl up in a ball and do nothing about it. But, all running away ever does, is prolong the inevitable. You may feel good for a little, but in the end, the depression, or the miserableness creeps back in. Running away never truly deals with the problem. I know this, because I am an expert in this field with firsthand experience. I would rather not acknowledge that there is a problem and hope that it disappears, than to tackle it head on and take the chance of making myself more miserable and alienating those closest to me. Unfortunately, when the root of the problem is not dealt with, it festers and becomes infected. Sometimes, the solution to the problem is not going to make everyone happy, but, then again, when a person is depressed, the people who are in closest proximity to that person, suffer as much, if not more, than the actual person. They have to walk on eggshells whenever they are around that person, which results in a feeling of helplessness that can sometimes manifest into angry outbursts. Depression doesn't just affect one person. It affects everybody that is in contact with that person.

     As a christian, who chooses to follow God, I find that when depression begins to settle in on me, as long as I do my best to search out God and His Wisdom, it will eventually be revealed to me which path I should take to rid myself of the burden. Sadness and depression should never dictate our lives! As a believer, this verse really struck a cord with me. I don't want to die with regrets!

2 Corinthians 10
10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.


     I'm not meaning to sound all doom and gloom, but I'm a Bible believer and that is where I draw my comfort from and my directions in life. It's my belief system.  A person suffering from depression needs to seek out what they are most passionate about and look for hope in those passions. I'm most passionate about God, so I take comfort in His Word.


Jeremiah 29:11
11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.


     This verse brings me comfort when I feel the world closing in on me, and that one more day seems too much to bear. It doesn't necessarily bring me out of my depression upon reading it, but it gives me hope, and hope is the beginning of overcoming depression. Focusing on your passions (healthy passions), is another step to overcoming depression.  Attaining your hopes and dreams doesn't come overnight. It takes time, but as long as you're headed in the direction of those dreams, you're doing something that takes your mind off of the unbearable. Baby steps are what is needed as a beginning in finding your way back from the edge of despair and desolation. Once you begin to take those steps, you will slowly, but surely, begin to feel a sense of freedom.