Taking the Initiative Againist Depression

February 17th, 2016 by JDVaughn 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.
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February 17, 2016

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God and thank You for this day and this devotional. Chambers’ writing was uplifting for me today. Especially when he wrote about You touching us inside the most simplest of things….. 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. This is true, and my experience is that I find You inside the simple and most complex of things. I can feel Your inspiration inside of the most complex of problems and issues, and inside a very simple observation of nature. I can feel Your inspiration inside a pop song on the radio, or the sound of a song bird. It seems like I find You whenever and wherever I look for You.

And God says…” Knock and the door will be opened. Seek and you will find. As the Psalmist said, The Lord is near to all who call on him. If you look for Me you will find Me. But look to Me in faith, believing that I will be there for you and yours. And if you feel as if your faith is not strong enough remember that I even provide the faith and grace you need. Seek first the Kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight.”

“When you find yourself depressed, use your vision to step out of it; like you have done many times over the years with other issues, trials, prayer requests and circumstances. Close your eyes and envision yourself putting your depression inside of a box, tie it with a bow, and write in block letters, “DEPRESSION”. Now watch yourself carry it to the foot of the cross where Jesus hangs, and leave it there. Now set your mind on the wonderful things that that I have done in your life over the years as you take up your personal mantra once again…”All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord”.

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