Today's Been a Hard One

     The actual instructions in my Year of Living Joyfully journal say, "Joy is something that is hard to find all the time the way we should. It seems to come and go with happiness and circumstances. It is our hope that you will always choose Joy. Take time every day to remember your blessings and how great a God we serve and record at least one thing that brings you joy each day."

     Today's been one of those days when unhappy circumstances have made seeing something in which to take Joy difficult. You know, it's been one of "those" days - tough parenting situations, rude drivers, plans that refused to fall into place, and yucky weather. It's been a day when it would easy too let melancholy overtake me or else try to escape into earthly pleasures. But I know that neither of things are a good idea.

     So finding Joy today is going to take some intentional effort - but that's what this project is all about, being intentional about finding Joy and putting some work into it when necessary. (Doesn't that sound oxymoronic - working at finding Joy? But maybe it's not. Something to think about.)

     First I went to one of my favorite Psalms and was reminded that we are invited to "taste and see that the LORD is good! [And that], blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8). That's something to feel good about - God is good to us and will bless us if we take refuge in Him.

     Then I thought about my friend Nik who is having a birthday today. I don't get see Nik as often as I would like, but every time I do he puts a smile on my face, as do my memories and thoughts of him. So that's something I can take Joy in.

     Next I looked across the room and saw my wife sitting there and remember how much she loves me and how committed she is to my good. What a blessing she is to me.

     Finally, I remembered that even though I had several frustrating experiences today they weren't all frustrating. Several of the plans I had for today did actually work out. I think I'll choose to remember those that did work out and not think about the things that didn't.

     I do have some things to record in journal that brought me Joy today.This does kind of work.

Please share Heart Matters with your family and friends, and, if you haven't already done so, please our page on facebook.

Hope for Holiday Depression

One of the songs you often hear during this season says that this is the “most wonderful time of the year.” For many people it is. Lights and parties and decorated trees and presents make this for them a festive and joyous time. But like a pack of wolves stalking prey on a cold winter night, just on the edge of all that seasonal happiness, for some of us there lurks a frightful foe, an enemy of our soul – depression. 

Polly Toynbee wrote that “One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder… severe mental pain with conditions crippling enough to prevent them living normal lives.” During the holidays that number increases. For those of us afflicted with depression this time of year is often anything but wonderful. I write “those of us” because I too am a sufferer. 

Ed Welch of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation called depression a stubborn darkness. Winston Churchill, another sufferer, called it his black dog. We depressed people can feel sad, anxious, worthless, and guilty. When I’m depressed what I most often feel is hopeless. And, when one has no hope it’s very hard to even think of, much less plan for, a future. Psychologist Rollo May said that depressed people are incapable of conceiving of a future. 

If you think that you might be depressed but are not sure check out the symptoms of depression at this website: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-symptoms-and-types 

So what can a depressed person do when the “black dog” is upon him? Can a hopeless person find hope? I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I have found hope from another fellow sufferer – David. 

In Psalm 6 David wrote about his own experience with depression. He wrote that he was languishing (verse 2) and greatly troubled (verse 3). He said that he was weary from moaning and that he had wept so much he soaked his bed (verse 6). Yes, David knew what it was to be depressed. 

David did find hope however. He found it by calling out to God, reaching out to and trusting in him. By the end of Psalm 6 David is trusting that God has heard his plea and accepted his prayers. Help is on the way. He knew that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirit has been crushed (Psalm 34:18). That’s what I have to be true as well. 

I’ve tried many things when I’ve been depressed. I’ve been to numerous counselors, I’ve tried various therapies, I’ve used medications. All have helped some. But nothing has helped more than calling out to God. He is the lover of my soul. He rescues me not only from my sin but also from my enemy depression. He can and he does lift my spirit like no one and nothing else can.

When things seem bleak and dark to me at this time of year it is a great help to remember that he is not only the reason for this season but he is the one who is near by and will get us through.