PERFECTLY IMPERFECT PERFECTIONIST
  • Home
  • The Blog
  • Carlos
  • Tasha
  • Who am I?

5 Ways to Honestly Engage Depression... (Post #22)

12/5/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
Fact:  “Depression is a serious medical illness; it is not something that you've made up in your head.”  If a Christian can have cancer, HIV, shingles, a cold, and MS; then certainly they can suffer with depression.  Depression is real and if we don’t deal with it, it will deal with us. 

Depression has unfortunately become an enormous elephant-in-the-room amongst Christians.  A large reason for this dismissive mentality is our misunderstanding of the true impact of Christianity.  It is a fact that when we surrendered our lives to Jesus, we received a wonderful and joyous Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).  It is not only a joyous Spirit; in addition, it is also a Comforter (cf. John 14:26).  However, the presence of the Spirit, doesn’t stop the problems of life. 
 
The Spirit is indeed real; however, you can be in full possession of the Spirit, and still catch the flu, lose your job, go into foreclosure, and have death in the family.  Why you ask?  Because the Spirit was never purposed to be the eliminator of hardship; rather, It was purposed to be our aid in the midst of hardships.  So, with all of this clarity, why do we still struggle so much with dealing honestly with depression in the house of God?
 
I believe our struggle to understand depression is largely a result of our misunderstanding of what depression really is.  Fact:  “Depression is a serious medical illness; it is not something that you've made up in your head.”  If a Christian can have cancer, HIV, shingles, a cold, and MS; then certainly they can suffer with depression.  Depression is real and if we don’t deal with it, it will deal with us. 
 
Therefore, it’s important for us to begin the dialogue in our congregations and fellowships.  Let’s start to talk about ways to escape the life of denial and to begin to walk towards improvement.  Here are 5 things that can aid us as we begin to empower ourselves for the fight against depression:

  • Start your day with Truth:  In most instances, the bout with depression will require your own personal work and commitment.  One of the best ways to combat this is to start your day with Truth.  Read a devotional, meditate on scripture, and rehearse the Power of His Word in your mind.  Our Savior defeated the enemy with Truth (cf. Matthew 4:3-4), and you can use It to overcome as well.
  • Plan moments of meditation:  In your fight with depression, nothing will be able to replace the power of God’s Word in your life.  During this season, you will have to become intentional about ensuring that your meditation is consistent and encouraging.  Every Christian should make time to meditate on His Word; however, in the midst of a bout with depression, your devotion will become even more essential. 
  • Encourage Yourself:  Begin to speak victorious words into your life.  Remind yourself of who you are and Who’s you are.  Positive affirmation isn’t the fix; however, it’s adds fists to the fight. 
  • Talk about it:  Share.  Communicate.  Open up and dialogue.  It starts not just with the person suffering from depression; rather, it also begins with the friends who are observing the symptoms of depression.  Ask the question, present a warm and comforting attitude, and be a voice of reason and support.  Communication gets the healing ball rolling. 
  • Don’t be ashamed or afraid to seek medical care.  Remember, depression is an illness.  It’s not you being a “baby” or weak.  It’s a condition in the brain that will/may require some medical attention.  If you’re suffering with any of the symptoms of depression (for more information on this, please click here) talk with your doctor as soon as possible. 
 
So, what did you think?  Was this helpful?  Which point registered with you the most?  Can you relate?  Do you agree or disagree?  Share your thoughts and thanks as always for your support. 
 
Imperfectly,
 
Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
@kevindjonessr
@imperfection360
4 Comments
Minnie Thornton
12/8/2016 10:33:40 am

Took me a while to comment on this one. You see I'm from the "old school" which taught Christians can Not be depressed if they are truly "leaning on God." Back then, I questioned my faith because I Was in Depression. I struggled through it "in secret" but thanks for this. I'm sure it will help many to understand & not feel alone.

Reply
K. Jones, Sr.
12/8/2016 03:28:10 pm

Thanks for your honesty. I think that measure of thought comes from a good place; however, it misses the reality of the human struggle. Paul said, "...let us not grow weary..." because he knew it was not only probably, but we are inclined to it. We remain students for life. Thanks for the comment and blog support!

Reply
Hadassah link
5/31/2018 08:50:03 am

The point that i loved the most is to not be ashamed to get medical help! I just recently signed up for therapy and can’t wait to start. I needed the help and i went and got it. Great post!

Reply
K. Jones, Sr.
5/31/2018 12:13:51 pm

Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m glad you got the help you needed. Blessings. #PerfectlyImperfect

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Kevin D. Jones, Sr.

    I'm just an imperfect guy, serving a Perfect God, and doing my best to share Him with everyone I can.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Topics:

    All
    Accountability
    Adulting
    America
    Anger
    Anxiety
    Attendance
    Attitude
    Bible
    Blogging
    Celebrity
    Change
    Children
    Church
    Commitment
    Communication
    Community
    Compassion
    Condemnation
    Conversation
    Criticism
    Death
    Depression
    Division
    Equality
    Evangelicals
    Failure
    Faith
    Fasting
    Fear
    Fitness
    Focus
    Gossip
    Grief
    Growth
    Habits
    Humility
    Isolation
    Leadership
    Marriage
    Meetings
    Mental Health
    Ministry
    Mourning
    Networking
    Parenting
    Patience
    Perseverance
    Personal
    #PIP
    Politics
    Poverty
    Prayer
    Productivity
    Racism
    Relationships
    Self Control
    Self Esteem
    Self Improvement
    Sex
    Skeptics
    Social Media
    Special Report
    Sports
    Stress
    Struggle
    Study
    Success
    Therapy
    USA
    Vlog
    Writer's Block

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016

Perfectly Imperfect Perfectionist - A Blog Hosted and Authored by Kevin D. Jones, Sr. - 2016
Photographs by Kirtisha Jones of Ms. J's A+ Photography

  • Home
  • The Blog
  • Carlos
  • Tasha
  • Who am I?