"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10.
My previous blog stated that depression "steals, kills and destroys". I've seen it; I've experienced it doing just that. Is depression Satan ? I don't know. Is it caused by Satan ? I don't know. Many other things steal, kill and destroy. Mostly, they are things that people do to one another or to themselves.
Depression isn't like that. It's not a verb. There is no action associated with it. But, I digress...
Jesus came so that we may have life, abundant life. Depression steals life. Why does it continue to exist in those who believe and follow Him ? Why does it last for years ? Why does it continue to steal, destroy and succeed at killing those who believe in and struggle to follow Him ?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Depression sucks
Depression sucks.
It eats away at who you are. It eats away at what you want to do. It eats away at who you think you are. It eats away at your thoughts, replacing them with doubt and fear. After all that eating - it is still hungry. It eats away at your desire to live. Eventually, there is nothing.
The most courageous people I know are the ones that live with depression. Next on my list of courageous people are those who are on their way or have made their way back from depression.
Some of the most loving people are those who love people going through depression. Many times a those struggling with depression have nothing to give, no desire to live, no way to return love, not a smile or even appreciation.
Depression is not a difficult life; it is difficult living. There are many who have a difficult life. How many stories are there of courageous children suffering from horrible disease? They are sometimes the most loving, the most filled with joy, the most encouraging and the most hope filled and loving people. Often they experience pain, terrible procedures and are severely limited in their ability to do "normal" things.
We look at them and understand that they are in pain, and that their life may be short. We commend them for fighting. Many have a desire to live life to the fullest, overcome their limitations, love others.
Not so with depression. These people hurt almost all the time, or have gotten to the point of numbness. They are not a joy to be with. They do not have pain we can see. They may even have wonderful lives, be gifted with physical health and lovely families. Yet, they do not have a desire to live, achieve, grow, overcome.
We cannot see what is wrong. We do not know what can make it better. Do they even want to get better ? Why are they not responding to our loving them ? The closest we want to be is far away.
They do not look very courageous. Often they look lazy, unwilling to see the beauty around them, unwilling to get up, unwilling to hope, unwilling to overcome, unwilling to let us help.
Depression is debilitating. It takes those we love far beyond our reach. It hurts them. It takes away their ability to see good; it takes away their desire to be with us; it takes away their desire to live.
It is far worse for those living with it in them. It steals, kills and destroys. All that life has to offer is stolen. All that remains is existence. Years of potential lost.
Depression sucks.
It eats away at who you are. It eats away at what you want to do. It eats away at who you think you are. It eats away at your thoughts, replacing them with doubt and fear. After all that eating - it is still hungry. It eats away at your desire to live. Eventually, there is nothing.
The most courageous people I know are the ones that live with depression. Next on my list of courageous people are those who are on their way or have made their way back from depression.
Some of the most loving people are those who love people going through depression. Many times a those struggling with depression have nothing to give, no desire to live, no way to return love, not a smile or even appreciation.
Depression is not a difficult life; it is difficult living. There are many who have a difficult life. How many stories are there of courageous children suffering from horrible disease? They are sometimes the most loving, the most filled with joy, the most encouraging and the most hope filled and loving people. Often they experience pain, terrible procedures and are severely limited in their ability to do "normal" things.
We look at them and understand that they are in pain, and that their life may be short. We commend them for fighting. Many have a desire to live life to the fullest, overcome their limitations, love others.
Not so with depression. These people hurt almost all the time, or have gotten to the point of numbness. They are not a joy to be with. They do not have pain we can see. They may even have wonderful lives, be gifted with physical health and lovely families. Yet, they do not have a desire to live, achieve, grow, overcome.
We cannot see what is wrong. We do not know what can make it better. Do they even want to get better ? Why are they not responding to our loving them ? The closest we want to be is far away.
They do not look very courageous. Often they look lazy, unwilling to see the beauty around them, unwilling to get up, unwilling to hope, unwilling to overcome, unwilling to let us help.
Depression is debilitating. It takes those we love far beyond our reach. It hurts them. It takes away their ability to see good; it takes away their desire to be with us; it takes away their desire to live.
It is far worse for those living with it in them. It steals, kills and destroys. All that life has to offer is stolen. All that remains is existence. Years of potential lost.
Depression sucks.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Open house
So, today's the first day of showings. I can't believe how nervous I am. I didn't think I would be. Then again, I didn't think I'd be so emotional about selling the house in the first place. I'm not even sure what I'm nervous about. Is it what people will say? Is it about how much I'll get for it? Is it about my cat trying to sneak past unsuspecting people?
A bunch of people at church are reading the Purpose Driven Life together. We did it years ago. It is kind of cool how different parts are jumping out at me this time around.
Which reminds me, I highly recommend reading the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. I think I've read it a dozen times in the last year, if not more. It is a powerful expression of where we come from and how God's love heals.
Last night, at homegroup, I shared some of the stuff I've been realizing over the last little while. It isn't often that I share my thoughts and heart with my homegroup, so it was pretty cool, well at least from my perspective ;-).
I've been thinking more about where to spend my energy at church.
A bunch of people at church are reading the Purpose Driven Life together. We did it years ago. It is kind of cool how different parts are jumping out at me this time around.
Which reminds me, I highly recommend reading the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. I think I've read it a dozen times in the last year, if not more. It is a powerful expression of where we come from and how God's love heals.
Last night, at homegroup, I shared some of the stuff I've been realizing over the last little while. It isn't often that I share my thoughts and heart with my homegroup, so it was pretty cool, well at least from my perspective ;-).
I've been thinking more about where to spend my energy at church.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
October already
I totally missed September. The mind is a funny thing.
Well, my real estate agent came in yesterday, helped me re-arrange all my furniture, took pictures and now - the house is up. It is for sale. Ooohhh that's an emotional thing. Me, who has trouble changing cars (I've taken pictures of all my previous cars) - now, I'm actually moving. Yikes !
But, the future is looking good. The funny thing is - I have no idea what it holds. Work is good, I'm enjoying it. Life is good, except for the occasional dips where I need learn something. And, the future is looking good, because I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing right now. That's pretty cool.
Pictures from Egypt are still coming....they've been coming for three weeks now :p. I've been so buzy learning to eat properly and prepping meals, as well as figuring out what is going on with my house, and working on the website. Throw in a few confused days and it equals three weeks. And I have yet to do the laundry. It's amazing I find time for TV ;-)
Well, my real estate agent came in yesterday, helped me re-arrange all my furniture, took pictures and now - the house is up. It is for sale. Ooohhh that's an emotional thing. Me, who has trouble changing cars (I've taken pictures of all my previous cars) - now, I'm actually moving. Yikes !
But, the future is looking good. The funny thing is - I have no idea what it holds. Work is good, I'm enjoying it. Life is good, except for the occasional dips where I need learn something. And, the future is looking good, because I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing right now. That's pretty cool.
Pictures from Egypt are still coming....they've been coming for three weeks now :p. I've been so buzy learning to eat properly and prepping meals, as well as figuring out what is going on with my house, and working on the website. Throw in a few confused days and it equals three weeks. And I have yet to do the laundry. It's amazing I find time for TV ;-)
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