depression

I know about depression.

There seems to be a predisposition toward depression on both sides of my family.

At one point in my life, I was clinically depressed for 4 1/2 years. A few years later I was clinically depressed again for 2 years.

I see so many people around me who are depressed, at all kinds of levels. Some are simply depressed, some are clinically depressed, & some are teetering on a mental illness.

Depression seems to be brought on by unrelenting, &/or seemingly unresolvable stress. It's not something we can wake up on day & just decide to "suck it up" & feel better. We don't get depressed overnight, nor do we pull out of it overnight.

The issue isn't THAT we're depressed, but WHY we're depressed. That is usually a long process, of searching through the rumble of our psyche for the primary issue(s) that drive the leadened life in depression.

I have learned (the hard way) to let God invade those primary areas of my life where my tendency toward depression lives & where those demons sent by satan want to drag me. (Yes, I'm one of those people who believes that depression has a human AND a spiritual/demonic component. That's another conversation)

Here's a psalm I've read & encourage those who are depressed to read. There's just something about the way the phrases come that somehow speak to our situation. I think that maybe only those who are or have been depressed for long periods of time really "get" what's going on in this psalm.

So, if you're out there dealing with depression, know that I know EXACTLY how you feel, & I really do understand where you are.

This psalm's for you... & me...

Psalm 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
2 Don't put your servant on trial,
for no one is innocent before you.
3 My enemy has chased me.
He has knocked me to the ground
and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.
4 I am losing all hope;
I am paralyzed with fear.
5 I remember the days of old.
I ponder all your great works
and think about what you have done.
6 I lift my hands to you in prayer.
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

7 Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,
for my depression deepens.
Don't turn away from me,
or I will die.
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.
11 For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
12 In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies
and destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.