Taking the Initiative Against Depression

February 17th, 2014 by Dave Leave a reply »

Arise and eat—1 Kings 19:5

The angel in this passage did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable. He simply told Elijah to do a very ordinary thing, that is, to get up and eat. If we were never depressed, we would not be alive—only material things don’t suffer depression. If human beings were not capable of depression, we would have no capacity for happiness and exaltation. There are things in life that are designed to depress us; for example, things that are associated with death. Whenever you examine yourself, always take into account your capacity for depression.

When the Spirit of God comes to us, He does not give us glorious visions, but He tells us to do the most ordinary things imaginable. Depression tends to turn us away from the everyday things of God’s creation. But whenever God steps in, His inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things-things we would never have imagined God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. The inspiration that comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression. But we must take the first step and do it in the inspiration of God. If, however, we do something simply to overcome our depression, we will only deepen it. But when the Spirit of God leads us instinctively to do something, the moment we do it the depression is gone. As soon as we arise and obey, we enter a higher plane of life.

Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
The song says, “why would I wait to die to come alive?” The devo says, “just go do whatever simple thing God says and you will end depression (come alive). Are they referring to the same concept?

Yes, paralysis of analysis and depression are first cousins. Both are related to non-action. Sometimes when you can’t hear me, you need to get quiet …… But sometimes when you can’t hear me, getting quiet is not the answer. Getting going is the answer. At least it’s the first step. There will be time to get away and get quiet, but to unclog our communication conduit, sometimes you just need to get up and start.

Yes, but what if I start in the wrong direction?

Dont you believe I can redirect you after you’ve started?

Well, yes.

That is the rhythm that works best, activity interspersed with times of purposeful quiet listening. I can work with that. You can too.

Thanks, BTW how about my friends that are “clinically” depressed? Is this still a good prescription?

Yes, I’m not saying meds are bad. But even with meds, a person will do better and hear my voice better when they get up and obey …… in even the smallest way. The car rolling down the road is easier to steer than the one sitting in the parking lot with the key turned off.

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