Depressed?

"Save me, Oh God,

for the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

I am worn out calling for help ...

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me

or the depths swallow me up

or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love;

in Your great mercy turn to me"

Psalm 69:1-3, 15-16.

The Psalms are filled with the anguished cries of David's heart. He knew what it was like to be in the pit of excruciating despair and hopelessness, to feel the horror of emotional isolation, to truly believe that all is lost, that no one understands, that death is better than life.

Such is the language of depression.

If you're depressed or are concerned that someone you care about might be, there is help and there is hope! This is not the abundant life that Christ has promised. Read on and discover 3 questions to ask and 5 ways to respond.

~ Deeply Empathizing ~
Linda

From Pen to Paper

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body"

- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

I'm Yours, Lord. And this frame of flesh and blood which houses my soul is Yours. I give it back to You again - its health, strength, desires, passions, plans, joys, struggles. Its deepest parts that only You can fathom.

Into Your hands I give my body, soul, and mind. And entrust You with all that makes me who I am.

And it's a wonderful place to be. In Your strong, capable, wise hands. I am safe and secure in Your protection.

"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me" - Psalm 139:1. And amazingly, You love me anyway. Thank You.

Linda

Love Essential # 4 - Peace

Love Essential #4 Peace – Ephesians 4:2, 3 “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together in peace.”

The followers of Jesus Christ are counter-cultural – unlike those without Jesus who criticize, are arrogant, proud, impatient, always looking for a fight, and never accepting. What are the ingredients of this peace that Jesus desires in the gatherings of His followers?

According to Ephesians 4:2, 3 they are: 1) humility – not focused on themselves; but, interested in what is really happening with others; 2) meekness – gentleness that is disciplined and controlled strength; 3) patience - slowness in avenging a wrong or retaliating when hurt by another; 4) forbearance – mutual tolerance or not ceasing to love one’s neighbors or friends because of faults in them that offend or displease us.

Consistent expressions of these four characteristics breed peace – a prominent ingredient in the love that Jesus mandates for His followers. Made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, these four make the Jesus followers a gathering to which everyone is irresistibly drawn.

Which of these four need work in you so that your fellowship becomes more peaceful?

Loving God’s simple truths ~ Bob

Nourishment

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are for me medicine when I am sick;

You are my strength when I need help;

You are life itself when I fear death;

You are the way when I long for heaven;

You are light when all is dark;

You are my food when I need nourishment.

~ Ambrose of Milan (340-397)

So thankful for all that He is ~

Linda

Love Essential # 3 Encouragement

Love Essential # 3 Encouragement – Hebrews 3:13
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Temptation is real. Sin is deceitful and fools us while it lures us. Callousness to sin and its effects pull us down. Discouragement will wean us away from authentic fellowship, debilitate members of the body, make sin look more like light than darkness, and cause us to feel like we are unwanted, unworthy and useless. Criticism, judging, disappointed expectations, and failed attempts at ministry can cause brothers and sisters in Christ to desire to leave both the faith and the fellowship. It is a primary tool of the Evil One.

God says that one of the fundamental elements of love in the fellowship of believers is to encourage each other daily. We are to lift each other up, see the glass half full, talk about that which is praise worthy, excellent and helpful. Expressing appreciation, genuine talking about each other’s value (complements; not flattery), and pointing out the benefits to us personally of folks using their giftedness are just a few ways to encourage.

Who are you encouraging in the body of Christ of which you are a part? How are you doing it? When are you encouraging others? How often? Where?

A tell-tale sign of health in the body of believers is how much encouragement is taking place. God thought that encouragement was so necessary, He gave some people extra doses of that ability and called it a spiritual gift (Romans 12:8).

How will you encourage your fellow believers today? Tomorrow? And . . . . .

Encouraged by many ~ Bob

Love Essential # 2 - Authenticity

Authenticity, being real and honest, is another facet of the love that is commanded by Jesus for His followers. 1 John 1:7, 8 says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

The world lacks genuine fellowship because it lives in darkness - it plays political games, is judgmental, gossips, slanders, lacks confidentiality, shares shallow conversations, and wears masks. Followers of Jesus live in the light – they share hurts, reveal feelings, confess failures, disclose doubts, admit fears, acknowledge weaknesses, and ask for help and for prayer.

True intimacy does not take place in the dark, but in the light. Darkness is used to hide hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. But, when these are brought into the open in an atmosphere that is safe, there is healing.

Authenticity requires: 1) Courage because we face fears of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again; 2) Humility because it requires honesty without bringing attention to us; 3) Safe people and safe places where there is acceptance and confidentiality - not a hint of gossip, slander, judgmentalism, or any form of “unwholesome talk” (Ephesians 4:29).

Why take the risk of being honest? Because, it is the only way to grow spiritually and emotionally healthy – James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Make sure that you are “Safe,” make sure that fellow believers are “Safe,” and begin living the authentic life that Jesus commanded.

Enjoying safe people and safe places - Bob