Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15 ERV
Today is the last day of my Bible study about depression. I do hope that the things I posted here had enlightened you in some ways. I purposely did not make comments regarding the verses mentioned except for the title because I want you to see the Word of God from your own perspective.
I understand that depression or any mental illness is not a simple matter. There is no magic pill available that can make the “monster in our head” go away. But I have some good news for you, there is a true medicine out there that when taken seriously will magically eradicate any form of “unsoundness of the mind” and will replace it with hope, joy and peace. I am not in the position of teaching you, but my experience with the medicine was real and I know that it will work for you too. Please be open minded. You have nothing to lose.
I think most of us suffer from all sorts of mental disorder [mild or severe] [Transforming the Mind Notes p3].
We worry, we become scared, we obsess, we want our own ways, we want to win, we want to be the best, we want our ways, we want to be recognized, we want to be at the top, we don’t want to be put down, we don’t want to be the last person, we want to rule over people, we want to dominate, we want to have all the awards pointed/given to us, we want to be honored, we want to be the center of attention, we criticize, we complain, we compete, we compare, we generalize, we magnify situation, we predict the future, we raise the bar of perfection and we want others to be in lined to our standard and most of all we are not contented of what is given to us.
Last night, a person close to me [ Zebra2 ] told me that she is having a hard time dealing with her roommates and life in general. I did not know the depths of her statement but I told her to tell me everything. She hesitated at first but then later opened up. She told me that she thinks she has anxiety and OCD. I told her to give me an example of how she diagnosed herself. To make the long story short… her examples fits to what she described as anxiety and OCD. She was right. She even told me that she needed to take an anger management class. After an hour or so of deep conversation and mostly listening on my part, I realized that I need to do something more. I trained and mentored this person so closely and I know that I gave her all the “life training’ she needed before she embarked on the journey of her own. I shared to her about the insights of my faith and how I became what I am now but I did not fully disclosed everything because I know she just needed someone to listen to her. I told her that I will help her go through her ordeal. To Zebra2, please read.
As I was reading the devotional today [Romans 15], the idea of the cup of depression came to mind. The content of the cup was being transformed into hope, joy and peace and were overflowing after having the Hope of Christ being poured into the cup. Many of you probably are asking what am I talking about? The picture mentioned above illustrates how a cup being filled with depression can be transformed to a cup filled with hope, joy and peace. The medicine is the Hope of Christ.
My journey to the “overflowing cup” did not happen overnight. Many years ago, I’ve tried Aikido, cycling, swimming, running, meditation, psychology books, self help books, mastered self discipline. I’ve tried friendship, relationship and company of people and solitude at times. I’ve tried burying myself with work and trying to keep myself busy. My life was empty as if there is something missing and I did not know what it was at that time. Nothing works.
But then things changed dramatically when I encountered Christ. It was like being able to solve a huge jigsaw puzzle and when I placed the missing piece, the whole picture of my life showed up in one piece and the transformation started. From then on, I know I was in for a long journey of hope. It was a process and I know it took several years for me to get my cup to an overflowing state. At times, it was very low and I never thought it will never work. But through the years with persistence and faithfulness of the Word of God, my cup started overflowing. I am not going to tell you a detailed description of how you are going to transform your life, it is all up to you. I want you to figure it out yourself so that your journey will be more meaningful in the end when you tell your own story. Each of us live differently, we have different jobs, family, friends, physical capability, situations and problems but the pattern of blessings and enlightenment leads only to one road- which is hope, joy and peace. There is hope for your ordeal.
Short version to recovery:
1. Be born again.
2. Read and Study the Bible everyday [I recommend YOUVERSION – https://www.youversion.com/ ] they have reading plans. Download the app. Each morning, read a passage and meditate before you get out of bed.
3. Live/Apply the Bible Way of Life [if the Bible says Trust for example, then apply it to your life.]
4. Search for a Spirit filled church
5. Listen to Praise and Worship Music only. If you have access to Spotify, search for Hillsong Live
6. Learn to sing a song from your heart in Worship. [use tuneWiki in Spotify to sing along]
Before you go, I want you to view a glimpse of worship with the video called “God is Able”. You will be delighted. At minute 39, “The Awakening” is the song that I want you to listen. I truly believe that when our soul is being awakened by the Spirit of God, those symptoms of having an “unsound mind” will not have a place in us.
Take courage – try something new!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwQFT-6kqBI]
DEPRSSION IN 7 DAYS:
Day01-Question to ask?
Why am I so sad?
Why am I so upset?
I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help! You will again be able to praise him, your God, the one who will save you.”
In my sadness I say, “I will remember you from here on this small hill, where Mount Hermon and the Jordan River meet.”
Psalms 42 ERV
Day02-What to do first?
Pray to the Lord, and he will hear you. He will save you from all your troubles. The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged. Good people might have many problems, but the Lord will take them all away.
Psalms 34 ERV
Day03-Who can help?
I called to the Lord, and he heard me. He heard my cries. He lifted me out of the grave. He lifted me from that muddy place. He picked me up, put me on solid ground, and kept my feet from slipping. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see what he did and worship him. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalms 40 ERV
Day04-Your situation is not hopeless.
Lord my God, I prayed to you, and you healed me. Lord, you lifted me out of the grave. I was falling into the place of death, but you saved my life. Praise the Lord, you who are loyal to him! Praise his holy name! His anger lasts for a little while, but then his kindness brings life. The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning we can sing for joy!
Psalms 30 ERV
Day05-The Helper
“I have told you all these things while I am with you. But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name. “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.
John 14 ERV
Day06- Constant Companion
Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand. And I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid! I will help you.
Isaiah 41 ERV
Day07-Overflowing Hope, Joy And Peace
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15 ERV
PLAN:
Celebration Church
Write conclusion/summary-Depression
Workout-Rest
READING LIST:
The Art of Public Speaking, p87 [public domain]
Sharepoint 2010 Workflow in Action p92
TIMELINE:
0800, End of Sleep
0900, Celebration Church
1000, Celebration Church
1500, Hillsong Concert in YouTube
2000, Read/Write Summary
Health Stats
Weight-177.6lbs
BP-120/76
Heart Rate-60 bpm
FAT%-20.2
BMI-29.6
