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| The Bible: Giving Meaning to Life |
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to a tough-minded audience, folks in Nazareth. They reject his “good news.” “Who is he?” they asked. “Isn’t he one of us, a carpenter?” Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith in God.
Jesus must have been disappointed at times. Yes, he and the disciples must have felt misunderstood, even depressed at times. Most of us get depressed to some degree at some point in our lives. How deal with depression and make it work for us instead of against us?
I am talking about occasional, minor, normal depression, not severe, ongoing, debilitating depression.
I know of three basic forms of depression:
When our chemical balance is out of whack. Psychiatrists can help us manage this imbalance with medication after a diagnostic consultation.
A second form is caused by something outside ourselves. It’s a loss that affects our well-being, for example, the death of a family member, a life-threatening diagnosis, a divorce, unemployment or retirement, an “empty nest,” the end of a relationship. Time generally helps heal depression due to loss. Support groups are invaluable.
A third form of depression is often linked with stress. We run out of energy to deal with the demands we feel are being made upon us. Stressed-out people often take on the expectations of others without expressing their own limits.
How then deal positively with depression?
1. As we grow older and wiser, we realize that trying to do everything perfectly doesn’t matter as much. We may say yes—but at our pace and in our way. It also becomes easier to say no when we realize our limits. Yes, we’ll try to do things we have to do as best we can, but we won’t take on more than we can handle.
2. Recognize our early stress symptoms. For example, we know we’re getting depressed when we (fill in the blanks). If we’re irritable, this may be telling us we need to get away briefly from a situation. If we feel unmotivated, do things differently, more creatively.
3. Acknowledge depression so that we can take control. Communicate with family; ask them, for example, to be more reasonable if we think they're taking advantage of us. Engage in physical activity, walking, gardening, golfing, whatever. If work has become boring, change your habits, vary your routine. Do something you like; call friends; lend a helping hand; volunteer, find something to look forward to. Rekindle your spiritual life by reading the Bible or a book like Rick Warren's "A Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here for."
Last, but not least, a fellow furry creature such as a dog or cat or bird can be a treasured companion.
So, if we’re feeling at times disappointed, depressed as Jesus must have felt at times, make it work for us, not against us. And remember St. Paul's words, "my grace is sufficient for you," whatever comes
our way. God is always close to us, closer to us than we are to ourselves.
