Voice of Depression–Make Your Bed–Part 3

Listen on Overflowing Hope with Dr. James D. Allen https://overflowinghopewithdrjamesdallen.buzzsprout.com/1807373/10853274-voice-of-depression-make-your-bed

Welcome.  Thanks for joining me today as we continue discussing the Voice of Depression.  You can hear the first two in the series by going to jamesdallen.com, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

Depression often manifests itself in anger, a lack of energy, a feeling of hopelessness, constant sadness, fatigue, a loss of joy in life, etc. One thing, if you have these symptoms for many days, weeks, or consider harming yourself, you should see your family doctor or go to the ER immediately. 

The last time we met, we said three things could help move us out of depression:  Cognition (our thoughts), Behavior (our actions), and Affect (our emotions).  Moving one of these can often have an impact on the other two.  This is why different counselors may focus on an issue in their preferred method of helping.  Many counselors utilize all three and, as a pitcher, see which one is best for the client.

Today, we want to look at behavior.  What can we do to help ourselves move up the spiral of depression?  Paul suggests in Galatians that we should put off some things since we are now in Christ.  Think of it as dressing ourselves appropriately and removing those things that are not edifying.

⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Colossians 3:8-10, NIV).

Paul is telling us to not only guard our thoughts but also to guard our speech.  What we think and what we say affects us.  But it is so difficult to do this.  Remember, this is not something done in a week, not a sprint, not even a marathon; it is a lifelong journey with guideposts along the way and markers that demonstrate your progress.

A little girl was frightened by a large barking dog, and her daddy came and picked her up in his arms.  The dog ran away.  The daddy said the dog is gone, honey; he is not barking now.  The little girl said, I know daddy, but he is still barking inside me.  Isn’t that the truth?  Things that happened to us weeks, months, or even years ago can keep barking on the inside.

Elijah was a mighty OT prophet who saw miracles.  He even saw fire come down from heaven.  Even after seeing miracles and serving God, he found himself depressed to the point of wishing he was gone to heaven. Jezebel wanted to kill him, so he ran. He has just seen fire come down from heaven and take up his offering, and he destroyed the wicked prophets.

“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” (I Kings 19:4,5, NIV)

Elijah is tired, frustrated, and hopeless, and what does he do—he sleeps.  Sleep is often a welcome retreat for those who are depressed, and it is needed; however, it should not be an escape.

 Let’s look at how God directed him up through the spiral of depression and suggest some simple things we can do to elevate our mood through our actions.

Elijah rested under the tree.  Soon an angel came and tapped him on the shoulder and told him to eat the food the angel had provided. Wow! Elijah got up and ate and then laid down to rest. Then an interesting thing happened, the angel returned a second time:  ⁷ The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (I Kings 19:7, NIV)

Now we may not get an angelic visitation, but how many times have angels, people who love you said to you:  Honey, you need to eat something.

Two things that we can do are rest and eat properly.  Proper nutrition and rest, even when we don’t feel hungry and are so down, don’t even care.  We still need to eat and rest.  Not withdraw, but rest. What behaviors could help you?

Besides nutrition and rest:

• Look around your house, especially where you spend most of your time, such as the living room and the bedroom.  Make sure both are bright or earth tones.  Don’t darken your room with dark paint or drapes. The atmosphere does make a difference. It is why eating at a fancy restaurant feels better than fast food. Darkness is not what you need when depressed. It will only reinforce the internal darkness.

• When you get up in the morning, make your bed. I heard a Navy officer give a motivational speech on the benefits of making the bed when you get up.  It was excellent.  The link is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmFwRkl-TTc or go to jamesdallen.com and click Topical tab and then Make your bed.

• Depression contains confusion.  Look at your bedroom.  Is it orderly?  I am not talking about the white glove test, but having your clothes folded or in the closet will make a difference.  Trust me.

• Read a daily devotional that will encourage you.  Select your favorite author, or you can get one of mine called:  Take Five for Forty Days—A Devotional by Dr. James D. Allen on Amazon or go to jamesdallen.com

• If you are able, go for brief walks.  Ask a close friend to walk with you.  Make sure the friend is an encourager and not a naysayer.

• Talk to an encourager who loves and supports you daily. 

Don’t withdraw.  Go fun places even if you have no fun!  Discipline is essential to move up this spiral.

Remember, work on your thought patterns.  Do some things mentioned today. Take action. Make your bed. It is not easy, but God is for you.  God will help you.  Jesus is your best friend.  I know you can do it. 

Until the next time we meet, may God bless you.