The Miracle Question & Depression

Timism of the day: THE MIRACLE QUESTION & DEPRESSION

Suppose you were to finish out your day as is typical, you lay your weary head on the pillow tonight, finally fall to sleep, and somewhere in the middle of the night, when you are fast asleep, a miracle happens and all the problems that you brought to bed with you are miraculously solved, like the snap of a finger, VAMOOSE, Gone…just like that.

Now here’s the clincher, since the miracle happened overnight nobody knows about it, not even you. When you wake up the next morning, how are you going to start discovering that a miracle had indeed taken place? What would you notice? What and who would be in your life, and what and who would be out of your life?

This is an interesting question as many of us are not as aware as we may think, as to what, and to whom our problems are, and where they come from, more interestingly, as to whether these problems are actually real or imagined.

Given this scenario, which I call the “Miracle Question”, you may be surprised where you would wake up, and to whom is in or out of your life etc... Hard to imagine isn’t it?

You see, the question is actually kind of scary, as we may wake up with missing family members and perhaps may even wake up all alone somewhere, at least that’s what we think about at first right? But given further consideration, we may see the contrary.

I pose this question because if this were to actually happen I think many of us would find that little, or nothing had changed at all of significance in our lives, as most problems are in our head, in the way that we think.

Let’s take depression for example:

Those of us who choose to depress, or feel we are depressed are likely preoccupied with the past. Depression is typically a preoccupation with things in our past that we wish we could change, but can’t, thus frustration (little anger and building), anger, anger turned inwards, and then depression. We, as rational human beings want to figure out why we did whatever it is that we did and keep walking around the past problem looking at it from all angles trying to make sense of it. Yet, it never seems to make sense. Thus, we feel guilt and shame and sometimes as if we must have something wrong with us perhaps lying dormant in us that keeps making this happen.

One of the definitions of depression is anger turned inwards. Depression, I believe, is focusing on the problems of the past and bringing them into the here and now. When you focus on something that you can’t control, it’s no wonder you don’t like the way you feel. The internal and irrational self-talk is, “If I could only have…”Or, “I wish I would have…” Or, “If only I would have...” Or, “I should have…”

You see, what you choose to focus becomes magnified. If you focus on the past, in particular, the worst scenarios of the past and you speak it and see it, your “it” becomes a preoccupation with something you can’t control, something not within your power to change, and you wonder why you are so dismal, tired, and frustrated, and angry and probably wondering if you need medication to round off the edges, to deaden it, to sleep, or to stop sleeping or eating etc…etc…

When depressed you will likely see your sleep has been effected and your eating has been effected. Either way, you will sleep too much or too little and eat too much and too little. Dreams will typically be tumultuous and troubled. You will likely take on all of the symptomatology of someone who has ADD or ADHD and have trouble focusing and finishing and your brain will be like having too many windows open on your computer, all over the place and sluggish.

Thus, your brain will be preoccupied with thoughts such as:

"I'm tired all the time and forgetful - I thought once I got a job it would get better." "Well, I'm not depressed but my wife says I'm angry all the time and that we don't have fun anymore. She says the romance has left our relationship. I think it's because I can't sleep and the kids won't listen to me." "I remember the line to the old Stones song about what a drag it is getting old, but I'm not even in my mid forties and I have headaches and backaches - I thought I'd have more time than this before I felt old." "I've worked the steps - have even done another 4th step; I've made gratitude lists out the wazoo; and I'm going to lots of meetings, but I just can't let go of these feelings of self pity." "I don't want to tell anyone because they'll think I'm crazy, but I'm so down all the time I've even heard a voice whispering that I'm no good." "I feel so lonely and hopeless, I'm going to drink or kill myself."

Depression is a state (meaning it is more than a passing feeling - it occurs over days to weeks in most situations and negatively impacts one's life). Sometimes feeling "depressed" is used synonymously with feeling "sad", but both clinical and non-clinical depression can include a mixture of several feelings, particularly irritability, restlessness, hurt, and excessive guilt or shame. The precise numbers of individuals who have depression are not known but estimates are that at least 12 million adults in North America have depression, with substantial co-existence of addictive disorders and depression.

Depression knows no barriers and affects all ages, races, cultures, and social classes. While data shows that more women have depression, this may well be because men are less likely to seek treatment. Depression occurs on a spectrum from mild to very severe, and symptoms can vary in intensity. Even though many studies have been done to try to find a way to make an objective and definitive diagnosis, no blood tests or brain imaging studies can reliably diagnose this condition. Though we know that chemical messengers (neurotransmitters like serotonin) are involved, the exact neurotransmitters that play a role and precisely how this occurs is still in question.

Some studies do show that severe depression may be more common in families with members who have depression or other mood disorders (e.g. bipolar illness), although this is just as likely learned as much as it may be genetically predisposed. There is no proof the depression is genetic.

Although the exact causes of depression are unknown, there are several risk factors that can increase the risk of depression. There are many symptoms that may signal that depression is an issue, some of which are illustrated by the thoughts listed at the beginning of this timism. A few of these are:

*Loss of energy or drive and easily fatigued Persistent sadness or crying much more easily and more often than usual.

*Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia, in particular waking during the early hours of the morning and not being able to return to sleep, or oversleeping ).

*Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities that used to be enjoyable.

*Loss of interest in sex.

*Appetite or weight changes (either an increase or decrease of more than 5% of body weight when not dieting).

*Irritability, restlessness, or anger Concentration problems or difficulty making decisions that were previously easy.

*Fear of failure or excessive self doubt or worthlessness.

*Unexplained aches and pains or heaviness in the arms or legs.

*A lack of ability to control spending, eating, drinking, or other potential bad habits.

*Feeling ignored, misunderstood, or losing hope that things will improve.

*New, frequent, or persistent thoughts of suicide or death.

*In the most severe cases, voices that command the person to hurt themselves or others or make derogatory remarks.

NOTE: An individual experiencing either of the last two symptoms should seek help immediately.
*Although depression does not have a single cause, many things contribute to making a person more likely to have depression. Some of the factors that increase this risk include the following:

*Having a family member who has committed suicide

*Stressful events like losing a job, being arrested, death of a loved one, divorce, illness of a child or partner, and financial difficulties

*Having depression as a child or teenager or previous episodes of depression as an adult

*Having a chronic illness like heart disease, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV conditions, chronic pain, or cancer

*Having a personality where one is pessimistic, has a lack of confidence, is overly dependent on others (particularly relationships that may be abusive or otherwise negative), or being criticized all the time (at work or home)

*Having a history of trauma or significant stress

*Having a history of other psychiatric disorders

*Having a baby within the past few months or other phase of life hormonal changes

*Abusing alcohol or other addictive substances

There are a number of different treatments for depression. Of course, all other causes of depression should be altered or eliminated, including diseases that have been previously undiagnosed (like thyroid, adrenal problems or addiction) or undertreated.

Regular exercise has been consistently shown to be as effective as or more effective than medications for mild to moderate depression.

Prayer, meditation, and good nutrition have also been shown to be useful.

Psychotherapy is usually indicated in moderate depression and certainly improves symptoms of mild depression as well.

Though many people want a quick fix with medications, a review and analysis of 6 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (the current gold standard) published in January of this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that there may be little to no benefit of antidepressant medications above placebo pills in people with mild to moderate depression.

Perhaps it is the admission that there is a problem and then reaching out for help that is the most important step for improvement. (Sound familiar?)

For those with severe depression or depression that does not lessen or perhaps even worsens despite other interventions, medications can be life changing and life saving, at least for a period of time. As with medications for any illness (including substance use/abuse/or dependence), combined approaches are typically better than any single remedy.

If you suspect that you or someone you love is suffering from depression, do not suffer or stand by in silence - this is an area where getting into action is necessary ASAP!

With respect to the above mentioned Miracle Question, I am certain that given the mindset that many of us have, we would wake up with much the same problems, because the problems are not so much external as they are internal, in our head, in what we choose to think about. The operative word there being choice. There is always choice. Any changes that may have happened during the night, given your preoccupation and focus, would quickly and efficiently go right back to where they were with little or no recognition of a miracle having taken place. It may have been just a blip on the radar.

What does the Bible say about depression?

The answer to this important question would take tons of paper. As I am limited in space and time, here are some highlights from a biblical perspective for you who are so inclined. God’s Word regarding depression. Please note that this response is not intended to cover any of the medical causes. Also, please be aware that it is not my intention to cover the entire topic of depression and its solutions.

Here are some Biblical solutions:

Solutions (commitments) to get over depression.

1. Commit yourself to your complete recovery.

Ps 51:10, 12 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." KJV

2. Commit yourself to prayer and thanksgiving.

Phil 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." KJV

Jer 29:11, 13 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” NIV

3. Even if you don’t feel like it, commit yourself to praising God and trust in Him.

Ps 42:11 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” NIV

4. Commit yourself to an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” NIV

5. Commit yourself in recognizing yourself as a child of God.

1 John 3:1-2 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” NIV

6. Commit your own body to God.

1 Cor 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” NIV

7. Commit yourself to the renewing of your mind.

Rom 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

2 Cor 10:3-6 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” NIV

8. Commit yourself to Jesus.

Phil 3:7-9 “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” NIV

Matt 6:33-34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NIV

9. Commit yourself to taking care of yourself and to refocus on God!

Judg 15:18 "Because he (Samson) was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, "You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" NIV

One of the reasons of depression is exhaustion. Samson was here physically and emotionally exhausted. There is great danger of falling into self-pity after a great personal victory. Concentrating on what God did in your situation, instead of concentrating on your part of the action, will generally help you to avoid falling into the trap of self-pity and depression.

1 Kings 19:3-4 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." NIV

Here, Elijah experienced fatigue and depression right after a great spiritual victory: the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the victory of the God of Israel. Thus confirming what was said before: Great victories (even spiritual) can lead to depression, especially if we focus on what man has done instead of focusing on what God has done.

Please note that God Himself lead Elijah out of that depression. He never once gave him a reproach. Instead He let Elijah rest and eat. Then He encouraged Elijah to return to his mission: to be a witness of God in Israel. Rest and nutrition, as well as a refocus of our mission on earth and keeping our eyes on Jesus is of vital importance to get over these humps of life.

Depression can be overcome, my facebook friends. Your situation is not hopeless. Remember Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” NIV

Leave this matter to God and trust Him, believing you are healed “by the stripes of His blood” (1 Peter 2:24). He is faithful and will see you through. He will not abandon you. He promised Matt 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, given the above mentioned Miracle Question with respect to depression as today’s focal point, if the miracle happened to you tonight, knowing what you know now about depression now, do you think your life would be any different?

Just sayin. Take it. Test it. Teach it. tim