Something To Think About.....

I love the psalms and go to them frequently for encouragement when I am feeling overwhelmed. King David and others in the Bible battled with depression, despair, anger and many other human emotions. These are very real emotions that real people struggled to overcome.

My temperament is melancholy--that means that I too at times struggle with these things. I don't want to be depressed and some people albeit well-meaning, don't believe in depression. But it existed in the lives of the people in the Bible and it exists now! What causes it? I do not claim to be an expert by any means. I can only speak for myself. I find that not being in control of my life or my circumstances causes depression. Rejection or perceived rejection does as well. The heinous acts of men can cause it. Sometimes anything or nothing can bring on the blues. Illness and/or hormonal imbalances can cause depression or just the "blahs". Since I refuse to take drugs, I have to simply deal with it the best I can. Sometimes, it helps to talk over my feelings with a friend. Sometimes all you need is a listening ear...someone to tell you "I've been there. I've felt just like you do and it WILL get better."

I also have an analytical mind. I will think and think and think until it drives me half crazy. Sometimes I can't sleep because I can't stop my brain! That is one of the characteristics of the temperament I was born with and it cannot be changed (according to Dr. Tim LaHaye, a respected teacher and author who has done extensive research on the subject). We all know that people are not all the same in the way they perceive or process or react to things.....

HOWEVER, as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our temperament, God is able to use us in ways we cannot imagine. Let me be the first to say I am not there yet! (I John 1:18). As we all know, God allows us to go through various trials in this life for many reasons: to teach us perseverance and compassion for others, to strengthen us where we are weak, to mold us for service, to teach us to TRUST him and for many other of his purposes, some of which we can't begin to understand.

KNOWING all these things does not always make the journey any easier. I know that the JOY of the Lord is my strength and that laughter is like a medicine. I do know enough to encourage myself in the Word! And I have to remind myself to think on the good things that the Lord has done for me (Phil. 4:4-9). But it is always nice to have the fellowship, compassion, understanding, listening and prayers of the believers from time to time to take the sting out of the trip! In fact, it is an act of humility to share your feelings with others, trusting that they will help you rather than criticize you.....

All the things that we go through in this life are for a purpose! As Christians, no experience is wasted. As pastor and author Rick Warren puts it, life is a TEST, a TRUST and a TEMPORARY assignment.

In "The Purpose Driven Life", I learned that I was created : (1) For God's pleasure (relationship with him), (2) For God's family (fellowship with other believers, (3) To become like Christ, (4) To serve God and (5) For a mission (to tell others about Jesus. I was reminded that this life is not all there is. The old Christian rock group Petra put it so well in their song "Not of This World,"--"We are aliens, we are strangers, we are not of this world....". So we aren't supposed to be too comfortable here! Life is really about living for God and not myself.....


Am I there yet? Not even close! It's just something to think about........