UnStuck – Depression – I Just Can’t Shake It
You know the symptoms all too well. You never seem to have enough energy. Many days are sad days, but some days you just don’t feel anything at all. You tell yourself, “it will be ok,” but deep down you know that’s not true. You know something is wrong, but you just don’t know what it is. You’ve blamed yourself and sometimes you get angry at yourself because you just can’t make it better. Maybe you feel disconnected from other people – even people that you love. Maybe this quote sums it up for you… “I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.”
A friend of mine has a phrase we use whenever technology problems start to overwhelm. He calls it the Swamp of Sadness. This is also a good description for depression. You trudge along looking for the path that will lead to somewhere else, anywhere else, but you can’t ever seem to find the road that leads out. When prolonged sadness won’t leave you alone it’s time for help.
While exercise, rest and eating healthy are good steps to take when trying to make your way out of the swamp, one of the biggest steps you can take is to be around people who care for you. It’s so easy to isolate when you feel this way, but now is the time to be around people who love you. You need to be around people who can remind you how special you are and the significance and meaning that you bring to others. As Solomon wrote, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
If you need another reminder of your value check out the words of our Lord in Matthew 11.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30
Rest is waiting for you. A rest that also reminds you of your value and significance. But you’ll need to reach out. You need to take the first step. You need to connect with other people. God made us for connection.
If you find the sadness still lingering even after all this, you may want to find professional help. If you need help finding a counselor, please check out www.newlife.com or call 1-800-NEW-LIFE.
Come join us for our unStuck series on Sundays and Wednesdays in January and February as we work at moving forward again.