Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Today I plan to do some food prep and clean the apartment. We are serving at church tomorrow so want to be sure we have enough baked goodies too.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We all have highs and lows in our lives and certainly the writers of the Psalms did as well, for some were written from out of the depths of despair. We all go through situations in life that are disappointing and difficult, and we may end up in depression if we fail to deal with what has happened or can’t accept the inevitable. Depression is at an all-time high and it is not wise to bury painful feelings, emotions, and fears, but to bring to the surface those feelings that need to be sorted out. If we choose to repress them it only delays dealing with things and takes a lot of energy to hold the negative thoughts inside. How much better to have a friend we can talk with who will listen as we verbalize what is going on within us. Sometimes just speaking things out, helps us see things in perspective. We may find that our fears are illogical, and we may get in touch with our negative thinking.
Another reason for depression is anger that is repressed and even denied. It is far better to be able to admit our anger so we can deal with it and use our energy in constructive ways. It means we have to accept responsibility for our own anger and seek to find out what is underneath it. It’s okay to experience our anger and to express it appropriately when it seems right, without feeling guilty.
Depression is also caused by negative thinking and most often the person will say they feel worthless. How much better to confront the negative thinking about ourselves and refuse to have a pity party. If we are a perfectionist, this is not easy for we have to give up unrealistic expectations and know that of course we fail just like everyone else. We are not perfect.
But when we know the Lord, we can accept who He made us to be and receive His unconditional love for us. Our faith in Him will give hope, though we fail every day, we are not cast aside. We realize even more how much we need Him and as it says in Heb.13:21, that God may “equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Challenge for today: When feeling depressed, don’t repress or bury your negative thoughts and anger but ask the Lord for His help to deal with things and at times share with a friend.
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