The dark cloud of depression can be emotionally crippling, can it not?
We keep swallowing all that vile bitterness, not wanting to burden anyone.
For those of us lucky enough to be in a stable, happy relationship, we know our partner must get sick of carrying all our baggage in addition to theirs. Thus, after a while we’d rather keep it to ourselves.
So we go on suffering in silence. Sometimes our friends and family are aware and sometimes they’re not. Some interpret our depression as laziness and others see it as a serious lack of motivation.
“He doesn’t want to do anything anymore. Just sit at home.”
Well, maybe that’s laziness, maybe it’s age, maybe it’s chronic fatigue, but maybe…
Just maybe…
It’s depression.
We just don’t want to trouble you with it.
I’m here to say I feel ya, but I’m not giving in. I’m not gonna quit, and you can’t either.
The internet is full of ideas to help you fight depression. You can also see a counselor, if you have the inkling, the opportunity and the funding. They can help give you some excellent tools to fight depression.
Well, they call them “tools.” I call them “weapons,” to fight the demons of depression.
One of the main weapons for me is God and prayer. I know the Lord is always there, no matter what time of the day or night. I can yell or cry or laugh, and He’ll still hear me out. He’s not going anywhere.
Remember that, won’t you?
My second major weapon is my family. For example, I have been married for 30 years to the same wonderful, crazy, willful, beautiful woman. I call her my “Little Princess.” She makes me smile.
She doesn’t always understand my moods, but she tries to help, even if that just means laying my head on her lap while we watch television. No words need to be spoken; I know she’s there, and she’ll encourage and defend me ’till her dying day. She’s always there for me. We travel this road together, and share the highs and the lows. I’ve had more lows than she, by far, but she’s just amazing enough to stick around and love me through them.
Another source of joy is my children. They’re equal parts of my wife and me, it seems. The best parts, thank the Lord.
Additionally, a primary source of joy is my four-year-old grandson, Joshua. He and my son, his Uncle Trey, are best buddies.
Here they are, being their natural, goofy selves:
As Nickelback sings, “Look at this photograph / every time I do it makes me laugh *.”
Just check out the looks on their faces! They both went all crazy-eyed and thank goodness I was there to get a picture of it. The picture makes me laugh, so I bring it up often, and smile.
Yeah, talkin’ to God and hangin’ out with my family are my primary weapons to battle the dreaded dark spirits.
Another, though, is making a list of all the things that really count. I’ll concentrate on those, and then thank God for them. That helps, too. Some things matter. Some things don’t.
Love. God. Family. Those things matter.
Dark spirits of depression do not.
Another is uplifting scriptures and quotes such as these:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).”
“His anger lasts only a moment. But his kindness lasts for a lifetime. Crying may last for a night. But joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5).”
“Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” ~ Napoleon Hill
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
“At least three times every day take a moment and ask yourself: What is really important? Have the wisdom and the courage to build your life around your answer.” ~ Lee Jampolsky (told’ja)
Depression will suck the life out of you if you let it.
So, don’t let it.
Do what you can…
Do what you must…
But fight your own demons ‘till they turn to dust.
Go medieval on them, until there’s nothing left.
Never give up, never give in, never surrender.
Blessings.
* “Photograph” © 2005 by Daniel Adair, Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake
Broken People 