I was replying to backlog of emails recently when I noticed a mail sent since January 2, by a lady who had just read my book 'SINGLE WITHOUT SINKING'.
Here's a quote from her mail:
"...... As much as this is plunging me into deeper distress, overwhelmed with grief and sadness, feeling desolate and deserted, I am not speaking to nobody about this and will carry it to my grave......"
She refused to open up about these issues for the following reasons:
1. Past betrayals,
2. Lack of trust ,
3. Fear of being exposed.
We've been speaking since the 3rd of January, but not until the late hours of Friday the 6th of February, before she could loosen up a little bit. She's been diagnosed with early signs of depression and currently under observation for some other health related issues.
The point is this, she had believed the lie about herself, she had believed the lie about her God and she had generalised this lie about everybody else. If you have seen what chronic stages of depression had done to people, you will not wish to see anyone go down those roads without a fight to help them out.
How we handle/manage or deal with our various disappointing experiences will often determine how those events control, manipulate or distort our attitude/responses to God's word and the truth of His redeeming love.
When we choose to become reclusive, we give room for satan's lies to thrive, and we engage ourselves in solo romance of delusion.
Often times, prolonged grief over a broken relationship or hurt make many suffer emotionally. It will eventually take its toll on our physical, spiritual and psychological well being.
Allowing God's word to breathe into our minds helps us to take a few steps in our response to the way out of this experience.
SPEAKING OUT: We can ask God to lead us to His choice people, who have the grace to listen and draw alongside us in prayerful support and godly guidance.
REACHING OUT: Make ourselves available to places and events where sound word and doctrine is preached, where God's love is truly shared and where we can be genuinely cared for. (We must remember that the woman with the issue of blood stepped out and went to where Jesus was, she reached to HIM and touched HIM.)
CONFESSING THE TRUTH:
(a.) Locate and identify the negative thoughts or disbelief in your self-talk. e.g “I am no good because things are not like what I expect or want.”
(b.)Argue against the negative thoughts. “I am not a failure just because I do not meet unrealistic expectations of myself or others.”
(c.)Learn how to avoid rumination (the constant churning of thoughts in one’s mind) by immediately changing your thoughts.
(d.)Replace the negative thoughts the very second they occur with the truth and with empowering positive thoughts and beliefs. e.g “In spite of the sorrow, disappointments and feelings I experience, the Lord will help me carry on.”
Philippians 3:13 & 14 says, “…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
We are on a track, running life’s race. The most incredible thing is that each Christian is the only person on his/her track. One does not have to be all that fast, but steady.
Look ahead, stretch forward towards a new day and thank God for all you have in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Your tomorrow will be better and even more glorious than your yesterdays.
Cheer up . Christ has conquered for YOU! Say NO to depression.
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