Pauline, my wife, says that I shouldn't touch the subject of depression.
She says that I've never been depressed for a day in my life and therefore I cannot speak about it.
Maybe she's right, but I do know that, contained in the Gospel message, is the cure for all things human, including depression.
Take, for instance, the disciples. They were in deep despondency for three days after the Crucifixion.
Easter Sunday morning changed everything. In a moment.
As Jesus had told them.
' You shall weep and lament. But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.' (John 16:20)
An encounter with the risen Christ sure took care of their depression.
Don't wait for Easter Sunday, though. Have a morning encounter with Him every day. I'll guarantee He still turns sorrow into joy.
Smile, Jesus loves you!
Ian
Norway.
The Bible in revelation, speaks of the "Tree of Life whose leaves are for the healing of the nations."
And in Norway there is a people who are in desperate need of healing.
In the midst of the welter of grief and agonized emotions a still, small factoid requires some thought.
Of all the western world, Norway boasts the population of lowest church attendance. A dismal 5% on any given Sunday.
The unified cry from Scandanavia after the hellish massacre last week has been " God where were you?"
To which the reply from Heaven might well be:
"And where have you been all these years?"
Ah, but help may be on the way. On Sunday there was standing room only in the churches, including the vast Oslo Cathedral.
I do not doubt that God's ear was open to their prayers.
Food for thought.
Ian
More on worry.
John Wesley, the great 18th Century evangelist, wrote in his journal:
'I would no more worry than I would blaspheme.'
An extreme statement but one that demonstrates his level of obedience to God and his clear vision of Who was orchestrating his circumstances.
On the isle of Patmos, the apostle John was feeling downcast about the condition of the Church until He had a vision of the throne of God. (Revelation 4)
From that moment onwards he understood that there was a headquarters to Creation and that everything was truly in God's control.
For those among us who insist on being the managing director of the universe: resign forthwith. Let God do His job and you do yours. Things work better that way.
Ian
Worry! The makers of "Tums" and "Rolaids" make a fortune out of worry; a worry that stops short of a heart attack but that gets the juices bubbling and causes insomnia, often about events that never happen.
Blaise Pascal said:
"Many terrible things have happened in my life, most of which never took place!"
Worry is like rocking on the porch. Close your eyes and you think you are going somewhere. Open them and you haven't moved.
When the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians: " Worry about nothing." he also gave the antidote.
"But in everything with prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
This week tell the negative committee that meets in your head to sit down, be quiet and listen to the choir!
Enjoy a worry free day.
Ian
