Have you ever wondered if you will stay entrenched in the wallow of depression, and not be able to make progress? That is a genuine concern, with all the why’s and how’s to back it up. But I believe that it is possible to grow even as we still endure what appears to be an irreversible circumstance.
Growth
God has planted Joy in our hearts. And even as our minds are warring off the depression, there is much we can do with the joy He has planted within us. We just need to able to retrieve it, from within the clutter that has filled our minds in the form of sadness, shame, confusion, and all their other relatives.
The hurdles that we face, even as we go through daily life with depression on our shoulders, are many. We may have to pick and choose wisely. But…What if we were to choose some of the smaller obstacles we face? Smaller, only in comparison to the several others we face. And what if we were to brave them? With each small hurdle we face up to, we develop endurance within us. Each small mountain we conquer will fortify us to scale the bigger mountains.
Pushing forward through depression is very hard, no doubt. However, if we could bring ourselves to direct our mind and heart towards a cause that stirs our hearts, a compassionate cause perhaps. Find a direction to send your compassion toward. Explore a purpose for your pain. Serving in the community, spending time with those that are struggling in the body and mind. Sometimes just our presence is enough to bring comfort to the hurting.
“To ease another’s heartache is to forget ones own”
Abraham Lincoln
As much as our hurting hearts believe, that we may never find reprieve from the strains of depression, there is always the next level waiting for us. The waiting time to get to that level, for some of us, maybe longer than shorter. But we can get there. Here are a few steps that I found to be beneficial to climb towards that.
– Writing down your goals and desires for the future of healing that you envision for yourself
– Finding avenues that would further nurture your strengths, in enabling you to achieve these goals
– Allowing into your inner circle close friends, mentors, and credible support groups, who will be willing to invest support and provide sound counsel for you
– Not allowing anyone, or anything to tell you that you cannot move forward
– Inching forward one step at a time with God, God’s word, and the support of those who genuinely love you.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”
Martin Luther King Jr.
4 Responses
Yes thank you..i believe that if you take one step God will take two.
She is right I and I mean that I really thinks that god has to make the right steps and if u take one god takes two he is always in front and watching over u
I have Major Depressive Disorder and have battled depression for 45 years. Suicide attempt 4.5 years ago at the age of 54. I had lost all hope for months. I was a Christian from a young age , but my faith and hope decreased with abusive marriage. I survived my suicide attempt. It was miraculous indeed, but still needed help. God is the center ,but it takes people that are important to you to show they care and to stick with you to help you. Also get out of the bad situations with help from God. I am now still on SSDI but have a part time job and live on my own. I have hope and God is real. I have purpose now.
That first step is the hardest. I’ve struggled with depression as a child. It got worse after I lost my husband. 8 years later. I’ve learned that being greatful and thankful for the little things, brings peace and joy to my soul. I think about heaven and what it will be like.