|
It's ten o'clock at night. The house is all quiet. Henry, my dog, is in his
bed fast asleep. And I'm depressed. Really, deeply depressed. And I have
been for a number of weeks. And to make
things worse, I just re-read some of the chapters on this web site I'd
written previously and all they did was make me feel guilty:
The list goes on and on and I'm tired of feeling guilty and I'm tired of
not being able to get out of my depression and I'm just plain tired.
But at the same time God seems to be saying to me, "Right now it's okay
that you can't do these things. I understand. Really! For a season you are
going through a tough time. You can do it, just continue to hang in there,
continue to trust in me and stop feeling guilty. Remember, I LOVE YOU!
You are MY child and I'm watching over you and I never sleep or go on
vacation so I'm always here for you."
Along with that thought, two of my chapters came to mind -- "Trials
and Tribulations" and "Pain
and Comfort." Maybe there is a reason for this. Maybe God can use
it somehow. (Romans 8:28)
I'm also reminded of "The Preacher", the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3
talks about the seasons of life.
There is a time for everything,
A season for every activity under
heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT)
I guess right now I'm in a time of grieving, crying and searching. But I
need to remember it's only for a time.
Personal Footnote: I really did not want to write this chapter,
especially now late at night. But I knew that if I didn't write it now it might never be
written. Further, I believe there is someone else out there who is hurting as
much or more than I am. If that person is you or someone you love and care
about then I have several suggestions. I pray you will take them seriously.
First of all, phone someone -- a pastor, friend, relative, co-worker,
neightbor. Right now! Even if it is ten o'clock at night or three in the
morning, if they are a friend and you tell them you need their help, they won't mind. Talk to them and ask
them to pray with you. Set a time to meet with them personally to talk.
Secondly, make an appointment to see your doctor -- soon. Sometimes
deep depression can be either caused or made worse by a chemical imbalance.
This can sometimes be helped with medications or a change in your eating
habits. But, the point is, seek
a doctor's help now!
Finally, if the pain of your depression is so bad you can't live with
it any more, then drive or have someone else drive you or call a taxi and go
to the nearest hospital Emergency Room. There is help available. Don't
leave the hospital until you get it. Treat this as you would a stroke or
heart attack -- critically important. Go Now!
|